IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


Li  128 

US  ^ 

u  m 


lU 

Itt 

u 


lAO 


2.0 


1.4 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  USSO 

(71«)S73-4503 


0 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notat/Notat  tachniquas  at  bibiiographiquas 


Tha  Instituta  ha*  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  unlqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


0    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


ry\    Covers  damaged/ 


0 


D 


D 


n 


n 


Couverture  endommagia 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  pellicuiie 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Letit 


titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I   Coloured  maps/ 


Cartas  gdographiquas  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Ralii  avec  d'autres  documents 


Fyj    Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 


along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  i'ombre  ou  de  la 

distortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  tha  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  la  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  fiimies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  4tA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
da  cet  exemplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographiqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normaie  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


T 
t( 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


n 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias 

Pages  restored  and/o( 

Pages  restaurias  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe( 
Pages  d^coior^es,  tachetdes  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough; 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in^gaia  da  I'imprassion 

Includes  supplementary  matarii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppiimantaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I  Pages  damaged/ 

r~7|  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~71  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

rri  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r     I  Only  edition  available/ 


T 

P 
o 
fi 


O 
b 
tf 
si 
o 
fi 
si 
oi 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  Image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fagon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Tl 
s» 
Tl 
w 

M 
di 
er 
be 

ril 
re 
m 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

• 

/ 

1 
1 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

re 

Stalls 
IS  du 
nodifier 
ir  une 
ilmage 


as 


srrata 
to 


pelure. 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  off: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
off  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
ffilming  contract  speciffications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  ffilmed 
beginning  with  the  ffront  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

IVIaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
difffferent  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  lefft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  fframes  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1 

2 

3 

L'exemplaire  filmA  ffut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rositA  de: 

Bibiiothique  nationaie  du  Canada 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettet*  de  l'exemplaire  ffiimA,  at  en 
confformitA  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
ffilmage. 

Les  exemplaires  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  ffilmAs  en  commenpant 
par  ie  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernilire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  ie  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  ffilmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microffiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  ^^  signiffie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signiffie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
ffiimte  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffff6rents. 
Lorsque  ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  ffilmt  A  partir 
de  i'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

vz^"  A'cr.  vrvvrE^  r]'-Tioi. 


'i' 


') 


'  iVKS([MPTf\  H  (HJlDt 


Ji 


1; 

r' 


^'ISITOR  ^   ^:OMP/  NION 


:ir»oTi:   ion^> 


■»')  ji  L  ».\'  i:  i:  R  K  r , 


J 


--=:-^i 


^y-<ZT.-:'  r>-:  .■->.> ^ 


*# 


^^^^^^^^fc 


;'V..»« 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


J"' 


fir 


-'iauour^ction 2 

Tlia  Journey 3 

TonawauJa 8 

City  of  Ararat 10 

Sclilossei- '. 12 

Village  ot'  Niagara  Kails 17 

Steamboat  Route  to  the  Falls 19 

Tlie  l5lainl.<«  a* 

y.i  V    ...    ..d 29 

c;ii    ..     1 28 

Cir.  H    the  Falls 81 

Kia^iia 38 

The  Falls  of  Niagai-a 87 

Prospect  Poiut ,. 41 

Bridge  and  Islands 44 

Elopement  case  atthe  Falls 46 

lath  Island 61 

rialflland 63 

Horse-ahoe  Fail 68 

Biddle  Stair-cas'> 80 

Cave  of  tlie  Winds 63 

American  Sheet  of  Water.. 68 

Moss  Island 68 

The  Graves 71 

The  Canaikside 72 

View  from  Table  Rock 1. „..  77 

Scenes  in  tlie  vicinity  of  the  Falls \ T^-  80 

Bellevue \....r  ^  92 

Suspension  Briv,'.ge >-^  ** 

The  Whir{)ool , 

The  Massacre  of  Bloody  Run.. 

Accidents ....^ 

White  Canops,  a  Legend... --— / 

Conclusion ^' 

Postscript     .    .  .    ...V     -./ 

-     f 

/ 

— — . — ^ 

.4 


L 


j 


I. 


4 


■WW 


f 


^•*«-*^4 


"*«*>«*-.K^V 


I  > 


f 

II 


lit 


B  U  K  K  E  '  S 


DESCRIPTIVE   GUIDE; 


OK,   T  H  R 


V  I  kS  f  T  O  R  S  ♦    COMPANION 


TO 


NIAGARA    FALLS: 


ITS 


STRANGE  AND  WONDERFUL  LOCALITIES. 


BY    AN    OLD    RESIDENT. 


Knttirc(l  ftcpording  to  an  Act  iif  roniTTegs,  by  Andrkw  Hitrkk,  in  the  Clerk's  Office 
of  the  DiBliict  Cuurt  of  the  United  8l.»t'  w.  "for  tlie  Northern  Distrtet  of  Xew  York, 

in  the  ypur  IhuO. 


BUFFALO: 
ANDREW    BURKE, 

PUBLISHER,    BOOKSELLER    AND    STATIONER, 

Mansion  House  131oci(. 


■.^(•■•7':i»?,;^ 


/ 


I- 


i 


^,0^- 


i:  I 


k 


PREFACE. 


The  peculiar  office  of  a  guide,  is  to  point  out 
spots  of  interest,  and  relate  what  is  interesting 
about  them.  This  we  have  endeavored  to  accom- 
plish in  the  following  pages  ;  leaving  as  much  as 
possible  to  the  mind  and  taste  of  the  stranger  who 
visits,  that  he  may  see  and  understand.  We  have 
refrained  altogether  from  any  poetic  distraction,  so 
t)ften  indulged  in  by  more  fanciful  guides. 

Our  oflPje  has  been  a  grand  one,  but  we  have 
endeavored  to  fill  it  with  that  simplicity  and  mo- 
desty, so  much  more  becoming  in  view  of  the  awful 
grandeur  of  the  scenes,  we  humbly  lead  to.  Our 
only^  hop6  being  that  we  have  given  satisfaction. 


:i' 


•  ^&: 


H 


■*'Sf^ 


'^^"^^ 


""Nt***-. 


t 


■  • 


D^ESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


TO 


NIAGARA    FALLS. 


THE    JOURNEY. 

Strang KR — if  you  are  now  ready,  we  will 
proceed  to  the  Office  of  the  Buffalo  and  Niagarfi 
Falls  Railroad  Depot,  on  the  Terrace,  immediately 
under  the  Western  Hotel,  and  procure  tickets.  It 
is  now  nearly  9  o'clock  and  almost  time  to  be  aboard 
the  Cars.  They  go  out  at  9  a.  m.,  and  5  p.  m.— 
Look  sharp,  the  bell  rings,  and  here  goes 


'^^^^M^l  ^^^^ssm^ 


THE      TRAIN. 


The  road  has  been  very  recently  re-laid  wit! 
the  T  rail,  and  the  speed  is  now  equal  to  any  thin 

1*  'I 


»y 


^"V 


"Sw'^ 


"''w^^^iKn^^ 


I 


t 


m 


DE8CHIPTIVE    OUIDB 


Tile  Ci»r»— Mli«i<>m'i  Gruv* — WorkhotwB— Mr.  C'os'ii  rr^id*nc«. 


in  the  United  SUites.  Very  pleasant  cars,  careful 
engineers,  and  the  most  affable  conductor  to  be 
found  between  this  and  the  unknown  regions  about 
the  North  Pole. 

We  are  moving — quicker  and  quicker;  ah,  there 
we  go.  See  how  the  houses  flit  by  us!  What 
should  we  do,  were  it  not  for  Railroads?  Won- 
derful creature  is  man.  Is'nt  Iks  Mamma?  We 
are  now  flying  through  Sixtii-stueet,  and  now  we 
are  out  of  town.  You  see  that  picturesque  grove 
on  the  left — that  is  Blossom's  Guove  :  and  that 
large  brick  building,  with  the  dark  wing  of  blue 
stone,  havi":^  its  windows  thickly  barred  with  iron, 
is  the  Workhouse,  a  structure  not  more  than 
two  years  old,  yet  it  could  tell  full  many  a  tale  of 
crime ;  for,  its  young  walls  are  darkly  experienced 
in  the  wickedness  of  Adam's  sons  and  dauohters. 

o 

A  short  time  since  it  took  fire,  or  rather  was  set  on 
fire,  and  the  roof  and  upper  part  were  considerably 
burnt  Yet  the  terrified  inmates  did  not  dare  to 
escape.  We  are  now  running  up  hill.  That  Man- 
sion of  cut  stone,  with  the  rich  Grecian  portico, 
which  you  see  on  the  right  is  Mr.  Coe's,  a  citizen 
of  wealth  and  repute.  And  on  the  left,  that  Gothic 
castle  is  the  property  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment, and  is  used  for  a  Military  Engineer's  Office, 


■  V 


V 


'/ 


TO    NIAOARA    FALLS. 


Fort — VUw  uf  Biiflklo,  kf.—lUwUy  hoiiM. 


V 


and  rc'sid<MU'e  of  th(^  Lieutenant's  family.  This 
castle  or  castellated  mansion  was  erected  by  Colo- 
nel Jamj-js  McKay,  a  citizen  of  Uustc  and  spirit,  and 
was  purchased  from  him  by  the  government,  for 
thirty  thousand  dollars.  On  part  of  the  land  they 
have  erected  a  redoubt  or  fort,  which  you  may  see 
adjctiiiino-  it.  ^' 

This  fort  is  adnurably  planned  in  the  form  of  a 
penta^'on  or  figure  of  five  sides.  Its  walls  rise 
from  the  solid  rock,  and  are  seven  feet  thick,  of 
blue  lime  stone,  beautifully  wrought.  Its  roof  is 
arched  and  covc^red  with  gypsum,  and  sodded  with 
grass.  It  is  live  feet  thick  and  perfectly  bomb- 
proof. From  this  roof,  on  which  two  Paixan  guns 
are  to  be  placed,  is  a  magnificent  view  of  Buffalo, 
Lake  Erie,  the  Canada  shore,' and  the  river  Niagara 
to  the  very  Falls.  This  Fort  occupies  a  most  com- 
manding position  and  is  capable  of  sheltering  eight 
hundred  men,  for  whose  comfort  a  pure  spring  of 
water  swells  up  in  its  midst  from  the  solid  rock. 

That  tall  porticoed  stone  building  to  your  right 
is  called  Hawley  House.  It  Wius  built  by  Setii 
C.  Hawley,  Elsq.,  at  a  time  when  speculation  was 
at  its  highest,  and  the  owner  intended  that  to  be 
one  wing  of  his  proposed  palace.  He  failed  — and 
there  it  stands  an  overo-rown  tombstone  of  intt^n- 


6 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Erie  CriwI— Black  Rnek— Blaok  Rock  Diim. 


tions   too   mighty  to   outlive   the  rude  blasts  of 
adversity. 

The  Erie  Canal  here  runs  alongside  of  the  river 
Niagara,  from  which  it  is  only  divided  by  a  pier, 
wliich  forms  the  harbour  of 


BLACK     ROCK. 

-  This  place  was,  at  one  time,  the  rival  of  Buffalo, 
and  on  account  of  its  superior  accommodation  for 
shipping,  it  maintained  an  ascendency  for  some  time 
over  the  "Queen  City  of  the  Lakes."  In  the  war 
of  1812,  Commodore  Perry  here  hid  his  vessels 
for  the  winter,  so  effectually  that  the  British  knew 
nothing  of  their  dangerous  neighbour  until  he  sud- 
denly came  forth  from  his  shelter  and  pounced 
upon  them.  The  actual  spot  where  th(^  United 
States  ships  sheltered  is  below  what  is  called 

BLACK     ROCK     JjAM. 

The  village  is  one  mile  in  length,  being  divided 
into  Upper  and  Lower  Black  Rock ;  the  latter  be- 
ing near  the  Dam  formed  by  a  pier  of  two  miles  in 
length  which  has  its  termination  on  Bird  Island, 
opposite  Buffalo. 

This  villao-e  contains  somethinn-  over  two  hundred 
houses,  and  about  one  thousand  inhabitaiTTs,  pre- 
senting at  present  but  a  poor  apology  fo.  A ,  former 


TO   NIAGARA   FALLS. 


Steam  Ferry — Upp«r  Black  Rock  to  Waterloo. 


pretensions.  There  are,  however,  several  mills  in 
operation,  and  sites  for  as  many  more.  But  the 
velocity  of  the  current  of  the  Niagara  and  dangers 
of  its  entrance,  on  account  of  hidden  reefs  of  rocks 
niust  always  act  as  a  barrier  against  the  prosperity 
of  the  place. 

There  is  a  steam  ferry,  crosses  at  Upper  Black 
Rock  to  the  village  of  Waterloo,  on  the  opposite 
shores  of  Canada ;  and  at  any  time  that  a  stranger 
wishes  to  ride  on  the  rapid  current  of  the  Niagara, 
or  to  cross  its  course,  he  can  here  readily  find 


A     SAIL     BOAT. 


8 


DESCllIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Grand  Islr.ml — IVn(i)eton. 


TON  A  WANDA. 

E  now  approach  Tonawanda,  which 
lis  twelve  mil(;s  from  Buffalo.     It  is  sit- 
uated at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  of  the 
same  name,  joining  the  Niagara,  di- 
rectly opposite  the  widest  part  of 

♦  GRAND     ISLAND. 

Here  the  Erie  Canal,  taking  advantage  of  this 
noble  creek,  leaves  the  river  and  follows  it  to  Pen- 
dleton, about  twelve  miles  distant  Here,  also,  the 
traveller  on  the  American  shore,  is  at  the  widest 
part  of  the  Niagara  River  away  from  her  Bridsh 
Majesty's  dominions,  with  all  the  accompanying 
fancies  of  Thrones, 


CROWNS     AND     SCEPTRES. 

Tonawanda  lies  on  both  sides  of  the  creek;  is 
a  pleasant  village,  containing  «ome  two  thousand 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


9 


The  Village — iu  pretensions. 


inhabitants  and  derives  its  name  from  the  .  lian 
of  swift  running  water,  which  term  is  rather  mys- 
terious, the  Creek  being  very  deep  and  sluggish. 

This  village  in  the  years  '48  and  '9,  also  put  up 
pretensions  to  cope  with  Buffalo.  The  Merchants 
of  Cleveland,  jealous  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
"  Queen  City,"  under  pretence  of  want  of  sufficient 
harbour  room,  came  boldly  out  and  published  a 
plan  to  make  Tonawanda  the  port  for  the  discharge 
of  Western  produce  intended  for  the  Eastern 
market  They  soon  erected  elevators,  wharves, 
&c.,  but  without  any  apparent  disadvantage  to 
Buffalo. 

There  is  here  a  dam  of  eighty-four  feet  in  width 
which,  at  the  same  time  that  it  benefits  the  Canal, 
produces  a  very  interesting  fall  or  cascade.  It  is 
crossed  by  a  long  wooden  bridge  on  which  the  rail 
road  to  Niagara  Falls  runs. 

The  lowness  of  Tonawanda,  and  sluggishness  of 
its  creek,  will  always  make  it  a  prosperous  place 
for  rheumatism  and  ague,  and  most  fit  for  a  specu- 
lation in 


BURIAL     GROUNDS. 


10 


DESCIUPTIVE    GUIDE 


White  Hnven— Arrarftl, 


CITY  OF  ARRARAT. 


P  P  0  S  I  T  E  to  Tonuwanda,  on 
Grand  Island, is  the  Uttlo  liarnh't  called 
WriiTK  Haven,  pleasantly  situated, 
which,  with  its  mills,  occupies  the  site 
of  the  proposed 

JEWISH     CITY     OF     ARRARAT, 

In  the  year  1825,  the  well  known  Major  M,  M. 
Noah,  like  unto  his  namesake  of  yore,  took  it  into 
his  head  to  form  here  a  city,  where  all  tlie  flews 
that  had  not  been  deluged  by  the  prevailino*  wat<^rs 
of  Christianity,  might  assemble  and  dwell  together 
in  this  city  of  the  ark,  formed  not  of  teats,  but  of 
log  and  frame  houses. 

This  modern  JV^oah  after  having  a  ginger-bread 
and  tinsel  display  in  Buffalo,  in  which  he  took  upon 
him  the  degrees  of  "  Proprietor,  Prince  and  Pa- 
triarch, Governor  and  Judge  of  Israel,"  previous 
to  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone,  which  took  ])lHce 
a  few  days  after  at  Grand  Island  (then  an  inter- 
minable forest)  but  which  corner  stone  nunains 
unclaimed  and  unoccupied  by  the  wandering  Jews. 


TO   NIAGARA   FALLS. 


11 


Jewish  Monument— Grand  Island. 


There  is  a  Monument  to  be  seen,  however,  com- 
posed of  brick,  mortar  and  wood  on  which  are 
engTaved  in  the  Hebrew  character  the  following 
words : 


ARRARAT. 

A    CITY   OP   REFUGK  FOR  THE  JEWS: 

Founded  by  Mordecai  M.  Noah ;  in  the  month 
Tizri,  5586, 
Septemher,  T825,  in  the  S6th  year  of  American 
Independence. 


Grand  Island  has  many  cultivated  lots  scat- 
tered over  it ;  and  land  is  offered  by  the  proprietor 
at  very  reasonable  terms  to  induce  the  complete 
settlement  of  it.  The  Island  abounds  in  game,  is 
watered  by  numerous  springs,  and  is  in  every  way 
adapted  to  agricultural  purposes.  It  is  constantly 
visited  by  that  peculiar  class  of  Buffalo  gentlemen, 
calling  themselves 


SPORTSMEN. 

2 


f 


!  12 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Schldsser  Liuiding— Nuvy  Island— Grand  Island. 


SCHLOSSER. 


I N  E  miles  below  Tonawanda,  we  pass 
ScHLORSER  Landing,  celebrated  as  the 
spot  where  the  steamer  Caroline  was 
cut  loose  by  English  militia,  one  night 
in  the  winter  of  1837,  during  the  rebellion  of 
Canada. 

The  insurgents,  calling  themselves  "Patriots," 
being  driven  from  their  purpose,  the  leaders  took 
up  their  stand  on  Navy  Island,  which  you  may  see 
there  separated  by  a  narrow  channel  from  Grand 
Island,  and  having  been  visited  by  great  numbers 
from  the  American  side,  through  curiosity,  the 
little  steamboat  Caroline,  of  Buffalo,  was  put  upon 


•  * 


TO    NIAGARA    IALL3. 


l;3 


Ferry  Brjat  Caroline — Its  destruction  reaolrcd  on. 


•    * 


the  line  as  a  ferry  boat ;  a  speculation  which  proved 
very  lucrative  to  the  owner.  But  scarce  had  her 
tide  of  trade  began  when  she  was  reported  to 
Colonel  Sir  Allan  K  McNab,  then  commanding  a 
force  of  nearly  three  thousand  men  at  Chippewa, 
as  a  craft  whose  employment  was  conveying  aid 
and  comfort  to  the  "  Patriots  "  on  Navy  Island. 

Acting  under  that  impression,  this  British  Com- 
mander resolved  on  the  destruction  of  the  Caro- 
hne  and  detailed  a  chosen  gang.  Accordingly  to 
Carry  out  his  plans,  this  gallant  expedition  was 
placed  under  the  conduct  of  a  half-pay  Captain  of 
the  Royal  Navy.  At  the  solemn  hour  of  midnight 
Col.  McNab  reviewed  the  expedition  which  imme- 
diately after  departed  on  its  fiendish  mission  in 
eight  boats. 

ScHLOssER  was  then,  as  it  is  still,  a  place  where 
no  accommodation  was  to  be  had.  What  was  called 
a  tavern,  was  but  a  miserable  excuse  for  tliat  ne- 
cessary institution,  and  as  a  matter  of  course 
numbers  tilled  the  sleeping  places  of  the  Caroline. 
She  was  moored  there  at  the  wharf.  There  were 
no  offensive  or  defensive  weapons  on  board.  She 
was  floating  imder  her  national  colors  in  her  own 
legitimate  waters.  Midnight  came,  and  the  solitary 
watchman  on  the  deck  was  totally  unaware  of  the 


u 


DKSCIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Dentniction  of  the  CnroHne. 


danger  that  awaited  the  craft.  When  suddenly 
he  hears  the  plash  of  oars  and  the  rippling  at  the 
bows  of  approaching  boats.  In  answer  to  the 
sentry's  challenge  of  "Who  goes  there?" — 
"  Friends,"  was  the  reply,  and  in  another  instant 
the  deck  was  alive  with  armed  men.  The  scene 
that  ensued  was  frightful.  The  dismayed  sleepers 
rushed  upon  deck.  There  was  a  violent  struggle 
between  life  and  death — fire  arms  were  freely  used 
by  the  British ;  and,  amid  the  cries  of  "  Cut  them 
down!  give  no  quarter!"  Half  dressed  men  were 
seen  to  spring  upon  the  wharf  through  showers  of 
blows  aimed  at  their  life.  The  last  man  that  ap- 
peared upon  deck,  was  poor  Durfee.  He  stood 
awhile  attempting  to  ward  oif  the  thrusts  made 
at  him,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  jumping  on  shore. 
But  a  too  well  aimed  pistol  shot  laid  the  poor  fel- 
low dead  upon  the  wharf. 

Having  accomplished  so  much  of  their  errand, 
these  gallant  invaders  cut  the  Caroline  loose  from 
her  moorings,  and,  having  got  all  their  precious 
band  into  the  boats,  they  pulled  back  to  Her  Ma- 
jesty's dominions,  while  the  devoted  httle  steamer 
floated  into  the  wild  current  of  the  Niagai-a,  enve- 
loped in  flames,  which  lit  up  the  awful  darkness  of 
the  night  amid  the  brutal  triumph  of  her  destroyers. 


#  ? 


#  t> 


TO    NIAG  .     V    FALLS. 


16 


The  Caroline  on  fire. 


Swifter  and  swifter  still  she  goes  on  "^i*^  eternal 
voyage.  She  rides  the  rapids.  Thte  raging  ele- 
ments of  fire  and  water  battle  fiercely  for  their 
own.  She  reaches  the  awful  precipice.  As  the 
dying  embers  light  more  brightly  when  about  to 
expire.  So  the  doomed  Caroline  enwrapt  in  flame 
that  flies  to  Heaven  for  vengeance,  lifted  her  form 
to  the  cataracts  breast,  and  plunged  amid  the 
hissing  roar  of  that  mysterious  fall  into  annihila- 
tion! 


0* 


16 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


riHnkroiiil— C'hippewn — Kort  SoUi  mit^r. 


HERE  is  now  a  plank  road  from 
Schlosser  Landing  to  Niagara  Falls 
Village,  which  will  render  the  river 
^  trip  very  pleasant,  as  it  is  but  two 
miles  from  this  landing  to  the  Falls. 

Chippewa,  on  the  Canada  side,  is  the  last  place 
that  is  navigable  with  safety  on  the  Niagara  River 
which  even  here  is  fearfully  rapid. 

The  Tonawanda  and  Chippewa  Creeks  are  the 
only  auxilliaries  to  the  Niagara. 

Fort  Schlosser  is  the  next  point  of  any  interest 
we  pass.  This  primitive  fortification,  never  of  any 
great  appearance,  was  erected  during  the  French 
war,  and  has  now  yielded  its  warlike  features  to 
the  simple  smiles  of  husbandry.  It  stood  upon  a 
gentle  elevation  between  the  present  road  and  the 
river.  This  place  is  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the 
Falls,  the  thunders  of  which  may  be  distinctly 
heard  now  over  the  noise  of  the  rushing  Railroad 
Train. 

There  is  Iris  Island,  wliicli  stands  in  all  its 
summer  bloom  and  winter  purity  of  whiteness  di- 


t 

i 


ll 


•y 


its 
di- 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


17 


VillHge  of  Nintrnra  KiiIIh— riHilroml  di  l.i.rk|ii>rt. 


viding  the  tumbling  waters  as  they  madly  seek 
their  gallant  leap!  We  have  accomplished  our 
journey.  The  steam  whistle  screeches  and — lii — 
presto!     We  enter 

THE  VILLAGE  OF  NIAGARA  FALLS. 

HIS  remarkable  place  was  laid  out 
in  lots  by  the  late  Judge  Porter,  to 
whom  nearly  the  entire  property,  in- 
cluding the  picturesque  islands  at  the 
cataract,  as  well  i\s  adjacent  to  it,  belong-s. 

It  is  laid  out  with  skill  and  judgment,  and  there 
is  little  doubt  it  will  yet  swell  into  a  fine  manufac- 
turing town,  if  not  a  city.  Some  brick  and  stone 
blocks  have  been  put  up  within  a  year.  An  Epis- 
copalian and  a  Presbyterian  Church  have  also 
been  erected,  as  also  a  Roman  Catholic  Church  of 
stone.  The  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Sons  of  Tem- 
perance have  gorgeous  halls  on  the  main  street. 
Both  orders  are  in  a  very  flourishing  state. 

This  is  the  main  street  tlirough  which  we  are 
now  steaming:.  It  crosses  our  track  at  rioht  ano-les 
and  that  line  of  rail  which  you  observe  runs 
through  the  middle  of  it,  is  the  Railroad  to  Lock- 
port,  on  the  Erie  Canal,  about  24  miles  from  this. 


18 


DUSCKIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Pliifo*  of  AniiMinnent — N«w»|i«pHr— Tiil<K<'H|>h, 


The  villa<;e  presents  many  places  of  amusement, 
such  as  Billiard  Rooms,  Bowlinjr  Alleys,  a  Public 
Garden,  and  is  also  possessed  of  a  smart  little 
Weekly  Newspaper  called  "  The  Iris  of  Niagara," 
published  by  (}.  W.  Hackstaff,  an  English  gen- 
tleman, who  formerly  published  in  Canada  an 
independent  journal,  thoroughly  advocating  liberal 
principles,  entitled  "  The  London  Enquirer." 

The  Telegraphic  wires  operate  liere  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Canada  Line.  So  that,  should  any 
information  be  required,  or  any  message  sent,  the 
anxious  parties  will  not  liave  to  wait  upon  the 
break-neck-speed  of  that  nimrod  invention  which 
killed  horses,  bruised  post  boys,  and  too  often  failed 
to  prove,  with  any  ibude  of  decency,  its  right  to 
tli  •  title  of 


J^^ 


THE     EXPRESS. 


L 


VI40ARA    FALL8. 


19 


Knitinild  StanmlHint. 


STEAMBOAT  ROUTE  TO  THE  FALLiS. 

S  it  is  to  the  interest  of  the  sight- 
seer to  1  •  pit  in  possession  of  that 
kno\,lcu^;e  w  ich  will  enable  liira  to 
chor»-e  liis  own  course,  and  receive 
as  much  of  *•  information,  he  came,  perhaps,  from 
a  grea  t  distance  to  gather.  We  feel  our  duty  now 
as  1  good  and  faithful  guide,  and  worthy  of  all  re- 
pute, to  call  the  attention  of  our  reader  to  the 
Falls  by  the 


STEAMBOAT. 


The  little  craft  Emerald  starts  from  Buffalo 
pvery  day  at  9  o'clock ;  and,  as  r,he  very  soon  gets 
i'lto  the  cu^-^-oTit  of  the  Niagara  you  find  yourself 
gliding  away,  as  in  a  fairy  dream,  on  the  bosom  of 


,  ... 


20 


DESCIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Canada. 


those  very  waters  which  soon  will  take  that  leap 
which,  rather  than  take,  you  would  submit  to  be 


..^J> 


*"liijK^Vpg^.;=^^^g£^ 


SHOT     AT. 


Hark  !  The  last  bell  rings :  "  All  aboard  there !" 
"In  with  the  plank."  Plash  go  the,  paddles. — 
She  is  under  way ! 


I 


Look  towards  the  bow  and  you  see  the  green 
wooded  shores  of  Canada.     Look  to  the  left  and 


» 


n 
d 


TO    NIAGARA*  FALLS. 


21 


"  Queen  City  of  the  Lnkea  "—Fort  Erie. 


you  see  that  you  are  just  passing  the  pier  and  hght- 
house  of  Buffalo — and  now  look  to  the  right  and 
you  see  the  *'  Queen  City  of  the  Lakes,"  with  her 
many  churches  a-spiring  towards  Heaven,  but 
sticking  to  earth  with  the  tenacity  of  stones  and 
mortar. 

Buffalo  has  sprung  from  the  very  womb  of  ne- 
cessity. The  position  she  holds  is  impregnable  to 
the  assaults  of  rivalry.  She  must  grow,  and 
growing,  she  must  expand  ultimately  to  the  size 
of  a  first  rate  city,  blessed  with  commerce,  and  en- 
dowed with  capital. 

There  on  the  left,  on  the  Canada  shore,  which 
we  are  nearing,  stand  the  ruins  of  Fort  Erie.  It 
is  directly  opposite  to  Buffalo,  and  still  retains  the 
remains  of  its  former  strength,  having  the  credit, 
even  in  these  days,  among-st  military  engineers  of 
being  admirably  planned  and  soundly  executed. — 
It  was  erected  by  the  French  about  a  century  ago, 
and  was  the  scene  of  some  glorious  exploits  during 
the  border  wars  of  1812  to  1814,  being  captured 
during  the  latter  year  by  Major  General  Brown, 
taking  its  commandant.  Major  Buck,  with  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  men  prisoners  of  war. — 
The  American  general  after  the  affair  of  Fort 
George  and  the  battle  of  Chippewa  and  Niagara, 


22 


DESCRIFTIVE    GUIDE 


The  Red  Mill— Waterloo. 


here  sustained  a  siege  which  ended  in  the  retiring 
of  the  British,  the  abandonment  and  destruction 
of  the  Fort  by  the  Americans. 

As  the  steamer  moves  along  the  Canada  shore, 
may  be  seen  The  Red  Mill,  directly  opposite  to 
which  point  the  explosion  of  the  boiler  of  the 
steamer  Troij  occm-red,  March  the  23rd,  1 850,  at 
half-past  2  o'clock,  p.  m.  This  ill-fated  vessel  had 
just  arrived  from  Sandusky,  and  had  in  vain  at- 
tempted to  enter  the  port  of  Buffalo,  upon  finding 
it  impossible  to  clear  the  ice  there,  she  steered  for 
Black  Rock,  determining  to  land  her  passengers  at 
the  Pier.  When  she  had  reached  this  point,  the 
boiler  burst  with  a  terrific  report,  and  the  unman- 
ageable wreck  floated  down  the  river  to  Black 
Rock,  where  she  was  secured  to  the  wharf.  By 
this  sad  event,  thirteen  lives  were  instantly  lost,  a 
number  blown  overboard,  and  after  a  struggle, 
drowned.  Many  were  very  badly  wounded,  some 
of  whom  died  in  a  few  days  after. 


WATE  RLOO. 


We  are  now  passing  the  little  village,  which  is 
distant  a  little  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
Fort  Erie.  It  has  about  fifty  houses  and  a  Httle 
over  three    hundred  inhabitants.     Any    person 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


23 


Stesm  Ferry— Chippewa. 


wishing  to  visit  Fort  Erie,  or  to  proceed  to  the 
Falls  from  this  point,  can  at  all  times  find  convey- 
ances at  moderate  rates. 

There  is  a  steam  ferry  which  plies  between  this 
point  and  Black  Rock  on  the  opposite  shore. 

This  and  Chippewa  are  the  only  two  villages 
alono'  the  Canada  shore,  althouoh  the  "Welland 
Canal  is  within  reach.  There  appears  to  be  no 
progressive  spirit  here.  Waterloo  presents  the 
same  wooden  aspect  now,  that  it  did  some  twenty 
years  ago.  But,  should  annexation  ever  take  place, 
this  is  bound  to  be  a  flourishing  town. 


3 


24 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Ornnd  rsLiinl— Xiasram  River. 


THE    ISLANDS. 

See  as  we  glide  along,  how  rudoly  b(Miutiriil 
Grand  Island  looks.  We  are  now  about  lialf  way 
past  it.  Here  is  the  river  Niagara's  broadest  ])art, 
which  is  eio'ht  miles  from  the  Canada  shore  to  tiie 
American,  at  Tonawanda.  The  two  channels  of 
the  river,  formed  by  the  intervention  of  Grand 
Island  are  about  three  quarters,  or  a  mihi  bi'oad. 

It  is  strange  how  this  extraordinary  river,  varies 
both  in  its  breadth  and  depth.  Where  wo  are  now 
smling  looks  calm  and  beautiful.  Here  opposite 
ScHLossER,  the  Niagara  is  three  miles  wide.  A 
Httle  farther  down  it  narrows  its  course  to  three 
quarters  of  a  mile,  and  becomes  impetuous  in  its 
progress,  a  little  farther  down  it  expands  again  to 
a  mile  and  a  half  At  the  Falls  it  is  again  tiii'(!(^ 
quarters  of  a  mile  wide.  At  the  Wiiium'ool  be- 
low the  Falls,  the  river  is  but  one  hundred  and 
forty -five  yards  in  breadth. 

It  is  still  more  unequal  in  its  depth.  In  some 
places  it  is  not  quite  fourteen  feet,  while  in  others 


i' 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


25 


Smklen  Fall* — Buckhom  nnil  Navy  Islnnd — French  Vessels. 


the  sounding-lead  has  gone  down  two  hundred  and 
eighUj-nine  feet. 

The  sudden  falls  and  level  in  this  river  are  not 
its  least  curiosity.  Here  we  behold  it  sleeping 
peacefully,  with  scarcely  the  appearance  of  a  cur- 
rent, and  anon,  it  thunders,  foams,  and  rushes  down 
a  quick  descent. 

Niagara  River  is  studded  with  Islands  from 
its  commencement  to  its  discharge  over  the  Fulls. 
They  are  tliirty-seven  in  number.  Some  of  them 
little  more  than  rocks,  but  most  of  them  beautiful 
in  appearance. 

Those  two  Islands,  so  near  the  extremity  of 
Grand  Island,  are  called  respectively  Buckiiorx, 
and  Navy  Island.  On  the  latter  the  French,  in 
the  war  of  1759,  built  their  ships  of  war,  and 
having  other  business  connected  with  their  navy 
\  there.  On  the  coast  of  the  other  Island,  the  British, 
in  the  same  war,  burned  two  French  vessels,  whose 
chai'red  hulls  are  yet  visible. 


26 


DESCRII'TIVE    GUIDE 


The  Patriots — CuiiiidiAn  Rebiilliini. 


NAVY    ISLAND. 


0  spot  about  here  is  more  famous 
than  the  C(?Iebrated  head-quarters  of 
tliat  distinguished  host  of  heroes, 
known  to  fame  as  **The  Patriots,"  par 
excellence. 

This  choice  bit  of  terra-firma,  belongeth  to  Hei 
Most  Gracious  Majesty,  Queen  Victoria  Alexan- 
DRiNA,  Sovereign  Tjady  of  the  Britisli  Isles,  and 
Heaven  only  knows  how  many  dependencies  be- 
sides. 

Now,  it  would  seem  tliat  some  restless  subjects 
of  the  aforesaid  Httle  Female  Sovereio-n  w^ere  not 
as  content  with  her  provincial  rule  as  to  loyalty 
seemed  fit;  so  they,  being  hunted  up  and  threat- 
ened with  confiscation  of  property  and  Ufe,  actually 
had  the  audacity  to  attempt  to  defend  themselves 
against  their  persecutors  and  thus  commenced 
what  is  usucilly  called  *'  the  Canadian  Rebellion  of 
1837." 

Being  crushed  and  put  down  by  the  red  arm  of 
EngHsh  power,  the  rebellion  ceased,  and  the  leaders 


1 1 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


27 


General  Sotliorliind— Wni.  Lynn  McKenzia— General  Scott. 


fled  to  this  Island,  where  they  determined  to  make 
a  stand  and  look  for  American  sympathy.  They 
were  at  first  but  a  mere  handful,  not  exceeding 
twenty-live  individuals,  under  the  command  of  a 
person  calling  himself  General  Sutherland; 
amono-st  them  was  the  notorious  Wm.  Lyon  Mc- 
Kenzie,  who  had  been  chiefly  instrumental  in 
sdrring  up  the  rebellion.  Their  numbers  rapidly 
increased,  until  at  length  they  counted  an  hundred 
men,  when  the  daring  aff'air  of  the  Caroline 
brouo-ht  matters  to  a  crisis,  and  General  Scott  by 
command  of  the  Government,  completely  suppres- 
sed this  border  warfare,  and  Navy  Island  was 
evacuated  by  "The  Patriots,"  for  aye  and  forever. 


4  ? 


3* 


28 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Cliliijiewii  I">niwbriil;^o — Ruilrotiu  */)  Quuenaton. 


CHIPPEWA. 

HERE  at  the  mouth  of  Chippewa 
Creek  is  tlie  village  of  the  same  name. 
It  is  a  port  of  entry,  and  contains 
from  two  to  three  thousand  inhabi- 
tants. Tiie  harbor  is  good,  and  the  Creek,  which 
is  navigable  to  large  vessels  for  twenty  miles  up, 
is  spanned  by  a  drawbiidge  one  hundred  yards 
long. 

There  is  a  rail-road  from  Chippewa  to  Queens- 
ton,  which  runs  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  and 
passing  close  to  the  Falls,  at  one  point  gives  a  no- 
ble view  of  its  wonders.  As  yet  the  want  of  that 
energy  and  enterprise  so  remarkable  on  the  Ameri- 
can side  has  failed  to  establish  a  locomotive  power. 
So  that  the  carriao-es  on  these  rails  are  drao-oed 
along  by  horses. 

The  view  of  the  rapids,  and  scenery  above, 
from  this  point  is  very  fine. 

CHIPPEWA    TO     THE     FALLS. 

It  is  now  in  the  power  of  the  tor-ist  to  keep 
along  the  Canada  shore  by  land,  or  to  cross  to 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


29 


Buttle  of  Chippewa — Iris  Isluml — Greiit  R..piils. 


Schlosser,  and,  on  the  American  side,  to  enter  this 
great  theatre  of  Nature's  wonders. 

Should  he  choose  the  former  course,  it  is  full  of 
beauty  and  grandeur.  Let  us  on  then — The  field 
on  which  the  celebrated  Battle  of  Chippewa  was 
fought  is  about  two  miles  from  this,  on  the  road  to 
Buffalo. 

Look  at  the  Niagara  River  now,  and  you  per- 
ceive the  point  at  which  the  Rapids  commence, 
there  at  the  bcuinnino-  of  Iris  Island  Observe  now, 
that  between  us  and  Lis  Island,  are  tlu'ee  dirahiu- 
tive  isles  called  the  Sisters,  two  of  which  are  named 
Moss  and  Deer,  the  third  being  nameless.  Be- 
tween those  islands  and  the  main  land,  where  w^e 
are,  you  behold  the  Great  Rapids  1  Down  on  the 
shoi-e,  where  we  are  now  passing,  at  the  bend  of 
this  inlet  or  bay,  is  a  burning  spring,  and  the  lai-ge 
island  you  see  in  that  little  bay  is  Cynlhea  Isle. 

Our  road  now  runs  by  the  grounds  of  the  Hon. 
Thomas  Clark,  and  adjacent  is  the  residence  and 
demesne  of  the  late  Samuel  Street,  Esq.,  who  was 
reputed  to  be  the  richest  individual  in  Canada. 

Crescent  Isle  now  takes  our  attention.  There 
are  many  small  islands  here  Avithin  view,  which 
thouo'h  not  larn-e  enouo-h  to  entitle  them  to  notice 
separately ;  yet,  by  their  agency,  those  obstructions 


bO 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


r 


niirruckH— ravilinn  Mcitel. 


are  formed,  which  give  to  the  nipids  all  that  boiUng 
maddening'  fury  which  forms  their  splendour. 

On  the  left  of  our  road,  on  a  rising  ground  is  a 
laroe  white  building'  with  colonnades.  It  was 
formerly  a  hotel,  named  the  Ontario  House,  but  is 
now  used  as  a  barrack  for  soldiers. 

Further  on  to  our  left  is  the  Pavilion  Hotel. 
It  occupies  a  very  elevatc^d  and  conspicuous  posi- 
tion. It  overlooks  the  Horse  shoe  fall  and  Table 
rock,  and  gives  to  the  spectator  a  view  of  great 
sublimity.     It  is  well  kept  and  worthy  of  patron- 


age. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


31 


ng 


City  i)f  Ihn  KiilU— nnimniimilvillu— I.miily'H  Ijiim—Clitlim— Clifton  llniel. 


i  a 
,  is 

EL. 

)si- 

L^at 
Dn- 


C  I  T  Y    OF    THE    FALLS. 

E  now  enter  the  proposed  City  of 
THE  Falls,  and  a  more  magnificent 
site  for  a  city  never  was  given  to  man. 
But  such  is  the  want  of  spirit  amongst 
Her  Britanic  Majesty's  subjects  in  this  Province, 
that  'r)s  yet  it  continues  a  cit?/  on  jwper,  an  oriental 
dream — a  castle  in  the  air! 

Tliis  is  Drummondville,  a  neat  thriving  village, 
which  has  grown  and  progressed  rapidly. 

Havino-  visited  Lunuy's  Lane,  another  \>.ittle 
ground  of  the  war  of  1812,  we  will  proceed  from 
Drummondville  to  Clifton. 

Here  is  the  site  of  another  city  of  intentions. — 
However,  we  have  the  comfort  of  knowino-  that  the 
tourist  is  well  provided  for  at  this  magnilicent 
Hotel,  called  the  Clifton  House,  where  the  most 
comprehensive  view  can  be  had.  And  where,  by 
following  the  gently  descending  roadway,  we  reach 
the  ferry  that  connec  s  the  royal  Province  with  the 
great  Republican  Union. 


Urn 


DKSCiai'TIVK    GUIDE 


Sport  itiK, 


To  those  disposed  for  huntiii;;-,  the  Clifton  House 
offers  the  unusual  advantaj^e  of  a  pack  of  hounds, 
wliicli,  with  all  other  necessaries,  are  ever  ready  for 


THE  S50RTS  OF  THE  FIELD. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


— <     ^ 
83 


Ninxura'N  ei>Dn<>rtiiin  with  t)it>  l.nki'». 


(Is, 

for 


NIAGARA. 

lAGARA  is  a  numc,  which  in  tho 
descriptive  hmguage  of  th«j  Iroquois, 
wlio  most  frequented  tiieso  parts,  sig- 
iiiiies  Thunder  of  Waters  ;  and 
wliere  eould  a  word  be  found  to  convey  at  once  to 
the  mind  so  distinctly,  and  so  boldly,  the  truth  of 
conception.  This  river,  or  rather  strait,  connects 
Lake  Erie  and  its  mighty  sister  waters — Supe- 
rior, MiofiioAN,  Huron,  and  St.  Clair,  with 
Ontario  ;  which  hitter  in  its  turn,  pours  its  proud 
tribute  thro^.igh  the  giant  river  St.  Lawrence,  into 
the  vast  Ailantic  Ocean. 

All  those  and  numerous  smaller  lakes,  which 
first  find  a  biith  in  the  rocky  mountains,  may  well 
be  considered  us  one  grand  river,  which  sweeping 
down  from  a  heioht  of  several  hundred  feet  ad- 
vances  onward  lo  the  sea,  as  the  monarch  of  rivers, 
for  more  than  tvro  thousand  miles,  receiving  in  his 
course  the  plentiful  tributaries  of  his  countless 
allies.  Now  spreading  out  his  court  to  almost 
boundless  extent,  now  contracting  and  consolidating 


34 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Tlui  CotiirHct. 


Vr. 


liis  rusliing  power  until,  at  this  sacred  spot,  he 
vaults  down  in  all  his  mioht  and  majesty  into  the 
fathumlt'ss  depth  below,  and  lising  in  sullen 
grandeur,  goes  forward  to  spread  out  his  dominion 
once  ■d'nxm  in  the  o-reen  bosom  of  Ontario! 

Thus,  we  see  that  the  waters  of  the  world's 
widest  lakes,  together  with  innumerable  tributaries, 
making  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
square  miles  of  surface,  are  forced  over  this  great 
fall,  forming  a  cataract,  Avhose  vastness  must  be 
studied  for  a  time  before  the  bounded  imaaination 
of  man  can  realize  its  actual  truth. 

Language  can  scarcely  approach  it  nearer  than 
the  poor  Indian's  simple,  yet  expressive,  Thunder 
of  waters — it  is  in  truth  Niagara  ' 


.1  ■■'-■■:»         ■.•'", 


■#• 

^ 

n 

■» 

', 

■^!f,-'iy^-':-'f'' 

•,,\- 

':'''"'"' 

'     "''■' 'A.'i^^'-^'S' 

••  •; 

^  1  '•  \ 

" 

-;.>>;  w;-|^^|i:-  --^  ^ 

1 

i 

^ 

V-       lT>' 


■   <  '.   r 


'rf--      -  •^,. 


:>*^ 


mm 


M^- 


GRNHKAi.  \  FJW    OK  MAO  AHA  FALLS  FKC 


AHA  FALLS  FliOM  THE  CANADA  SIDK, 


^^  I    s. 


I 


GENEl 


t; 


4 


) 


GENERAL   DETAILS 


OF    THE 


FALLS  OF  JS'TAGARA, 


AND 


INTKKKSTINO   LOCALITIES    ADJACENT. 


NIAGARA    FALLS. 


37 


Mist — Ciitiiiiict — I'ure  Atniosjiluire. 


THE    FALLS   OF    NIAGARA 


R  E  situated  in  latitude  43  deg.  6 
min.  north,  and  longitude  2  deg.  6 
min.  west  from  Washington.  It  is  22 
milts  north  from  Buffalo,  and  14 
miles  south  from  the  point  of  its  jimction  with 
Lake  Ontario. 

There  is  an  idea  prevalent  that  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Falls  of  Niajxara  must  be  liable  to  dis- 
ease,  consequent  on  the  constant  mist,  which  de- 
scends fiom  the  Cataract.  But  such  is  not  the 
case.  The  climate  of  this  maoic  neia'hbourhood  is 
salubrious  in  the  extreme,  as  well  as  highly  invig- 
orating. 

The  atmosphere,  being  constantly  acted  on  by 


08 


DESCIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Reiililcs — Wild  Aiiimiilfl — Insects  iiini  Kuwls. 


the  riLshing  of  the  vast  Hood  of  water,  is  conse- 
quently kept  pure.  The  most  decided  proof  of  the 
purity  of  Niagara  Falls  is  to  be  found  in  the  elo- 
quent fact  that  Tvhen  all  the  world  was  being 
scourged  by  Cholera,  this  mysterious  spot  and  its 
neighbourhood  entirely  escaped! 

In  fact,  no  epidemic  or  pestilential  complaints 
ever  visit  this  spot.  The  herbs  and  wild  flowers 
breathe  sweeter  perfume  here  than  elsewhere,  and 
curious  exotics  are  common.  No  reptiles,  wild  ani- 
mals or  troublesome  insects  are  here  to  be  found, 
not  even  musketoes.  Fowl  of  several  descriptions 
here  enjoy  sweet  converse  with  nature ;  and  the 
eagle  and  seagull  hover  around  the  boundless 
scene,  whilst  the  bee  and  the  butterfly  range 
through  the  fragrant  islands  that  stud  the  preci- 
pice that  has  nought  of  fear  for  them. 

We  will  now  proceed  to  view  the  Falls  from  all 
available  points. 


*>  > 


^  * 


i 


4/ 


I 


TO    NIAOAUA    FALLS. 


41 


l'r(i»|ici't  PiiinI  f'nllii;.'i>. 


VIEW   FROM  PROSPECT  POINT. 


ti 


E  T  us  now  proceed  through  the  grove 

to  Prospect   Point,  the  best  view  of 

the    Falls  from  the  American  side. — 

As  wc  advance  towards  its  presence, 

tile  thunder  of  Niagara  rolls  awfully  on  our  ears; 

and  now  ;i  turn  in  the  walk  brings  us  in    front 
of  Prospect  Point  Cottage,  where  the  senses  are 

instantly  captivated  by  the  sight. 

Here  we  are  presented  witli  the  whole  line  of 
the  Cataract  in  perspective  from  one  shore  to  the 
other,  a  distance  of  fidly  three  quarters  of  a  mile. 

Before  leaving  Prospect  Point,  let  us  advance  as 
near  the  brink  as  possible.  There  used  to  be  a 
small  projecting  platform,  ballanced  with  rocks  at 
this  place  to  enable  the  visitor  to  advance  two  yards 
beyond  the  edge,  and  look  down  in  safety  at  the 
mad  waters  dashino-  down  amono'st  the  rocks  be- 
low  him,  to  a  depth  of  nearly  two  hundred  feet! 
This  convenience,  through  motives  of  prudence, 
has  been  removed,  however. 


42 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


AriK'iu'uii  I'liU    -Itulli   Isliiiiil -IrJH  Ulttnil- -llorMiNlmu  i'till. 


Tills,  next  us,  is  the  Amkrican  Falf.,  mlh  tlio 
rnpids  and  Islands  above.  Behold,  too  tin-  seething 
fathonilt'ss  cauldron  beneath!  This  Island  near  us 
is  called  I'atii  Island,  to  "which  a  bridge  leads,  as 
you  see,  from  the  main  land,  lieyond  it  is  Iiiis 
Island,  (sometimes  called  (Joat  Island)  to  which 
another  bridn'e  leads,  tormina-  one  line  of  commu- 
nication  between  the  American  shore  and  Iris 
Island,  the  u'rand  centre  of  the  series  of  cataracts. 
vVnd  in  the  extjvme  disUnice  is  (he  Canadian 
(called  from  its  peculiar  form)  JIoi{sesiiok  Fall. 


Si'  k'\ 


\  ''\ 


■,!,:!i:7r.:iii\>' *:■!:*. 

io,ii  ,„!:   ,ii!,,i    - 
iiliiii;  ■■'> 


44 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


HiilJi  Isliinii— T'lc  rfuil'iil    piti  iiiii'i'  --Hiiiii^iiii;  l''iiilj;i' 


VIEW    FROM   THE    BRIDGE  AND 
ISLANDS. 

E  Avill  now  cross  that  brido-e  whicli 
leads  to  Bath  Island.  Behold  how 
!  mao-niiicent  the  wild  turmoil  of  those 
waters  as  they  roll  and  foam,  and  rush 
on  recklessly  beneath  the  bridge  on  which  we  stand, 
ti)  their  doomed  fall ! 

It  must  be  a  source  of  surprise  to  the  beholder, 
tli.it  a  bridge,  such  as  that  on  which  we  are,  could 
be  erected  amidst  tliis  "  Hell  of  waters,"  at  little 
more  than  sixty  rods  from  the  fearful  precipice 
itself 

'Die  plan  adopted  was  simple,  notwithstanding. 
The  first  abutment  framed  of  heavy  timber,  being- 
set  up  on  the  bank,  pieces  were  run  out,  bearing 
on  it,  and  balanced  on  the  land  side  by  large  rocks 
of  several  tons  weight.  These  beams  were  planked 
ov«;r.  and  thus  a  hanuinn-  bridiiC  was  formed  on 

which  the  workmen  ran  out  stone  and  droped  them 
down  into  the  water  until  thf  pile  showed  itself;  a 


L 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


45 


The  Bridge. 


cradle  or  stronf>'  frame-work  was  then  laid  down 
and  filled  up  with  heavy  stone- work.  This  pier  was 
soon  connected  permanently  with  the  abutment, 
and  the  same  course  of  proceeding  repeated,  until 
the  bridge  was  finally  completed;  and  by  adopting 
the  same  plan  in  making  a  bridge  from  Bath  Tshmd 
to  Iris,  the  connection  with  the  main  land  was 
made  both  safe  and  pleasant.  Formerly,  the  visitor 
to  Iris  Island  was  compelled  to  land  from  below 
in  a  boat,  between  the  falls  at  the  base  of  Iris 
Island. 

The  first  bridge  erected  here  was  in  181V,  by 
General  Parkiiurst  Whitney,  of  the  Cataract 
.House.  It  was  somewhat  higher  up  the  rapids. 
This  structure  did  not  last  more  than  one  year, 
being  carried  away  by  the  ice.  The  following 
summer  after  its  destruction,  the  present  substan- 
tial bridge  was  built  by  the  Messrs.  Porter. 

The  whole  extent  of  this  bridge  is  forty-four 
rods,  viz :  TAventy-eight  rods  to  Bath  Island,  and 
thence  sixteen  rods  to  Iris  Island.  It  cost  about 
sixteen  hundred  dollars.  This  bridge  was  re- 
paired in  1839,  and  also  in  1849,  and  is  now  in  a 
sound  and  perfect  state. 

Pause  here  and  scan  those  overwhelming  rapids 
as  they  rush  down  their  inclined  course,  and,  rush- 


46 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Mtlmieholy  dc'currtfiu'e. 


ing  vainly  against  the  piers  of  the  bridge  under  us, 
seem  to  tussel  witli  each  other  with  ungovernable 
anger,  till,  like  their  countless  predecessors,  they 
too  go  down  the  horrid  leap  together ! 

This  bridge  has  been  the  silent  witness  of  many 
a  thrilling  scene,  but  of  not  one  which  caused  more 
dismay  than  the  folloAving,  the  detailed  account  of 
which  we  here  give  from  the  columns  of  The  Buf- 
falo Daily  Mepublic  and  Courier  newspapers : — 

"melancholy  occurrence  at  NIAGARA  FALLS.'* 

"A  most  melancholy  occurrence  took  place  at 
Niagara  Falls,  on  Monday  night  last,  about  twelve 
o'clock.  A  Mrs.  Miller,  who  represented  herself 
as  the  daughter  of  Senator  Norvell,  of  Michigan, 
and  as  the  wife  of  an  officer  in  the  army  now  in 
Florida,  and  who,  with  her  children,  had  been 
stopping  at  the  Eagle  Hotel,  jumped  from  the 
bridge,  leading  to  Goat  Island,  into  the  river,  and 
was  carried  over  the  cataract  The  particulars  of 
this  heart-rending  affair  are  thus  given  by  a  cor- 
respondent of  the  Courier,  writing  from  the  Falls 
yesterday : 

"  Our  village  was  this  morning  thrown  into  deep 
gloom  by  a  report  that  a  young  lady  had  probably 
committed  suicide    here,  during  some  tsne  last 


>> 


"NIAGARA  RIV^RK  AND  AMKIUC 


m  AND  AMKinCAN  FALLS,  XEAR  Iforrs  BACK 


'.:r 


X' 


'V 


«■'■•    ,."^. 


'*■      '  '-  /f 


....r^r;./r;/;//;.;;/L/p|||i 


^:'1ii::^:;i  ,■  ,Jil 


'^^^^ 


PUP 


P'HmfcJ'L.:'    ^:^^::iJM'^^jMtiiiu:^ilJ:^Hi  ^''"'L'      ■'''^c\>.,'i'    \ 


THE  AMERICAN  FALLS  FROM  Ti 


'mm 


•«*==--^ 


(H^jicrf;; 


■.''■-;V:VV^'.^""^ 


jsr^i 


'ALLS  FROM  THE  CANADA  SHORE. 


&ssmMm 


TO    N I  AG  A  HA    FALLS. 


47 


NewHpRpor  Kxtrncl. 


(<> 


es- 


niglit,  which  is  undoubtedly  too  true.  The  cir- 
cumstances are  as  follows: 

"  The  train  of  cars  yesterday  morning  brought 
hither  a  young  woman  of  fine  personal  appearance, 
and  about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  having  with  hor 
two  bright  looking  boys,  four  and  six  years  old. 
After  taking  rooms  at  the  Eagle  Hotel,  she  called 
for  writing  materials,  and  nothing  more  was  known 
of  her  until  this  morning,  Between  seven  and 
eight  o'clock,  the  bell  of  the  room  she  had  occupied 
was  rung  by  the  little  boys.  They  were  inquiring 
for  their  mother. 

"  Upon  the  table  were  found  three  letters — one 
directed  to  Major  Miller,  U.  S.  A.,  and  one  to 
Hon.  John  Norvell,  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  one  to  the 
proprietor  of  the  Eagle  Hotel,  (a  copy  of  which  I 
send  you) — also  the  ringlets  of  one  side  of  her 
bead,  her  gold  watch,  two  trunks  of  clothing,  a  silk 
purse  containing  some  gold  and  silver  coins,  and 
her  weddinsf  rins:. 

"  The  children  state  that  their  mother  had  bid 
them  good-bye  and  kissed  them,  after  they  had 
gone  to  bed — that  they  had  last  come  from  Win- 
chester, Virginia,  and  that  their  father  was  in  Flo- 
rida. No  cause  can  be  assigned  for  the  act.  She 
appeared  perfectly  rational  throughout  yesterday, 

5 


48 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Copy  of  H  letter  to  Mr.  White. 


and  not  the  least  symptom  of  insanity  was  noticed. 
Nothing  has  yet  been  found  to  throw  the  least  light 
upon  thr   nutter. 

"  P.  S. — Enouoh  has  been  found  to  warrant  the 
belief  that  the  unfortunate  lady  leaped  from  the 
bridge  that  leads  to  Goat  Island,  and  was  swept 
over  the  Falls.  Upon  the  second  pier  was  found 
her  bonnet,  which  had  been  trodden  upon.  Her 
black  crape  shawl  was  found  tied  to  the  railing  of 
the  bridge,  to  let  her  down  upon  the  pier  which  is 
some  six  feet  below  the  railing.  She  undoubtedly 
did  this  to  indicate  to  those  who  should  look  for 
her,  that  her  mind  was  made  up  for  the  fearful 
leap  into  the  yawning  chasm  below. 

**  Her  father  has  been  telegraphed,  and  the  chil- 
dren have  been  kindly  taken  charge  of,  by  the 
Hon.  Augustus  S.  Porter, 

"  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  addressed 
by  Mrs.  Miller  to  Mr.  White,  of  the  Eagle 
Hotel: 

"  *To  the  Proprietor  of  the  Eagle  Hotel. — 
My  mind  is  made  up.  I  have  no  wish  to  live  any 
longer.  I  shall  go  where  my  body  will  never  be 
recovered.  No  one  shall  gaze  on  my  mangled  re- 
mains. Please  take  care  of  my  two  little  boys  till 
they  can  be  sent  to  Detroit,  where  their  grand  pa- 


f  1 


TO    NIACJARA    FALLS. 


49 


PoDikViipt  to  Letter— I It'tiry  HlHkvin«r, 


rents  reside.  They  are  the  sons  of  Major  Miller, 
of  'the  Army,  nmv  in  Florida,  and  grand-sons  of 
Hon.  John  ^Jorvkll,  Detroit,  Michigan.  Please 
forward  my  letters,  and  protect  my  children  till 
yonie  of  their  relatives  can  come  for  them. 

'  MRS.  J.  G.  MILLER' 


**  Postscript. — Since  the  above  was  put  in  typ  , 
we  have  learned  that  there  is  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  Mrs.  Miller  is  still  alive,  having  eloped 
with  a  friend  from  Philadelphia,  and  that  she  placed 
the  shawl  and  bonnet  on  the  bridae  and  wr<jte  the 
letters,  which  were  found  in  her  room,  to  convey 
the  impression  that  she  had  gone  over  the  Falls. 
The  circumstances  leadiiig  to  this  belief  are  as 
follows : 

"  On  Thursday  last,  a  man  who  registered  his 
name  *  Henry  Blakemer,  Philadelphia,'  stopped  at 
the  Exchange  Hotel,  in  this  city.  He  said  that  he 
expected  some  friends  in  a  day  or  two,  and  was 
watching  the  arrival  of  every  train  of  cars.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  Sunday  morning  train,  b(  was 
observed  by  the  porter  of  the  house  in  conversa- 
tion, in  the  sitting  room  of  the  depot,  with  a  lady 
with  two  children.  The  lady,  who  was  afterwards 
ascertained  to  be  Mrs.  Miller,  took  lodgings  at  the 


I 


1^: 


II 


50 


DESCIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Mr.  Blakemer  hires  a  horse  and  buggy. 


Lovejoy  House,  but  subsequently  went  to  the  Ex- 
change, where  she  remained  until  Monday  morn- 
ing, when  she  took  the  nine  o'clock  train  for  the 
Falls. 

"On  the  afternoon  of  Monday, Mr.  Blakemer  went 
to  the  livery  stable  of  Mr.  Miller  on  Washington- 
street,  and  hired  a  horse  and  buggy  to  go  two 
miles  below  Tonawanda.  He  returned  about  three 
o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning  with  a  lady,  believed 
to  be  Mrs.  Miller,  leaving  her  at  the  railroad  depot, 
Avhen  he  brought  the  horse  back  to  the  livery 
stable.  He  then  called  at  the  Exchange  for  his 
baggage,  and,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Miller,  took  the 
fast  train  which  leaves  here  at  -J-  past  5,  purchasing 
tickets  for  Cayuga  Bridge." 


U 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


61 


Twill  Islands — Sliipunil  Hrijf — Lovers'  Retreat. 


<> 


BATH    ISLAND. 

ERE  at  this  picturesque  litt'e  Toll 
House,  register  your  name,  and  pay 
twenty-live  cents,  which  sum  will  give 
vou  the  freedom  of  the  brido-e  and 
islands  for  the  year. 

We  will  now  take  a  look  at 

SHIP     AND     BRIG     ISLANDS. 

Those  fantastic  twins  received  their  present 
names  from  a  supposed  resemblance  to  vessels. 
This  little  bridge  wliich  leads  to  Ship  Island, 
although  slight,  may  be  relied  upon  as  perfectly 
safe.  View  the  rapids  from  this  point !  How  wild 
the  world  of  waters  seems.  Yet  how  heavenly 
peaceful  are  those  islets,  embosomed  in  fair  foliage 
of  trees  and  vines,  carpeted  with  nature's  matchless 
moss,  and  redolent  of  flowers  that  never  felt  the 
withering  influence  of  man!  Ship  Island  is  also 
called  the  "  Lovers'  Retreat." 

A  truly  tasteful  lover  o^  Nature  must  he  be 
who  would  here  take  up  his  abode  away  from  the 


'.» 


52 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Cupid. 


rude  realities  of  a  heartless  world,  which,  like  the 
waters  that  roll  around  him,  is  ever  progressing 
regardless  of  agonies  which  rise  on  its  course. 
jVye,  this  is  the  spot  for  the  votary  of 


CUPID ! 


I  ; 
ii 


Ij 


; 


r 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


53 


GiiHt  Isliuid — Iris  Islmid. 


IRIS    ISLAND. 


!  i 


/ 


S  there  an  isle  in  this  world,  wliich 
has  so  great  a  charm  as  this  little  spot 
of  earth,  scarcely  half  a  mile  long, 
md  but  eighty  rods  wide,  containing 
in  all  not  more  than  sixtv-two  acres  of  arable  land. 
Yet  it  has  been  visited  by  bygone  generations  from 
all  quarters  of  the  globe,  and  countless  generations 
yet  will  tread  its  walks  of  wonder. 

We  before  stated  that  it  was  also  called  Goat 
Island.  This  appellalion  took  its  rise  from  the  fact 
of  a  Mr.  Steadman,  then  a  resident  at  Schlosser  in 
1770,  placing  a  variety  of  animals  on  it:  amongst 
others  a  number  of  goats.  Of  these,  a  bearded 
patriarch  was  the  only  one  who  survived  the  se- 
verity of  winter,  and  he  remained  in  sole  posses- 
sion for  a  long  time. 

The  beautiful  name  of  Iris  Island,  it  derives  from 
the  rainbows,  which  perpetually  bend  round  its 
shrine  at  the  Falls,  which  indicate  tliis  to  be  the 
favorite  home  of  the  goddess  Iris.     Here  are  seats 


Il>'  - 


where  we  may  sit   and  rest  before   proceeding- 
further. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  the  nMit  and  take  a  look  at 
the 


54 


DESORIPTIVK    GUIDE 


Viiiw  from  Hi'jj'n  Hiuk. 


II  0  O  '  S    BACK. 

This  narrow  ridg-e  is  so  callfd  from  its  peculiar 

shape.     From  it  you  luive  a   mngiiilit'ent  view  of 

i  the  Central  Fall,  tlie  Anicrlcian  Fall,  the  river  bc- 

]■  low,  and  tlie   long  line  of  follaged  perpendicular 

'  banks  which  wall  the  fallen  waters  as  they  speed 

away. 


sdino' 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


55 


Creicent  Full — Prospect  IslanJ. 


THE  CENTRAL  OR  CRESCENT  FALL. 


We  will  now  contemplate  the  beauties  of  this 
Fall ;  which,  though  narrow,  is,  from  its  amazing 
depth,  alone  sufficient  to  inspire  reverence. 

It  is  formed  by  that  portion  of  the  Niagara  river 
cut  off  by  Prospect  Island  from  the  American 
volume  of  water,  and  is  but  twenty  yards  wide. 
How  clear — how  sparkhng — how  fairy-like  it  looks. 
No  break,  no — no  difference — aU  in  unity — one 
beautiful  vestal's  sheet  of  stainlesss  hue  spread  for 
eternity ! 

Underneath  the  rock  on  which  we  stand,  and 
behind  this  cascade,  is  the  Cave  of  the  Winds, 
which  we  will  visit  presently.  But  first  let  us  cross 
this  bridge  and  take  a  still  better  view  than  we 
have  yet  had  of  the  American  Fall  from 

PROSPE  CT     ISLAND. 

By  some  this  is  called  Luna  Island.  It  is  in 
truth  a  very  lovely  spot,  the  view  from  which  is 
magnificent.    Here  in  fhis  nchly  embowered  Island, 


\i 


.">. 


iii 


56 


DESCUIPTIVE    GUIDE 


I 


View  ipf  the  Ainerii'iin  F»ll— Tli.'  tlinje  rr.itili's. 


the  bird  of  liberty,  the  engle,  used  to  enjoy  his  full 
born  freedom  in  repose,  in  limes  when  the  enslaver, 
Man,  had  not  yet  pi-ofancd  its  sanctity  with  hi- 

presence.     See  now — the  view  is  m;>tchless- -IlerL-, 

come  the  rude  rapids,  rollini'  and  stru!';>'lini>'  down, 
ch.iHiio-  those  many  liule  sunny  islands  as  th(!y  rusli 
aloni»',  as  if  jealous  of  their  beauty.  Tht  ro,  (Ita 
broad  sheet  of  the  American  Fall  tumbles  d«-vrn 
the  dizzy  dcii^.rnl,  in  t^'iiible  majesty.  It  is  a  sii^^lit 
to  study — a  menioi}  never  to  be  erased.  We  will 
now  return  to  Iris  island,  and  examine  the  very 
singular  appearance  presented  from  the  Ho^-'s 
Back,  being  what  are  called 

THE     THREE     PROFILES. 

You  must,  however,  draw  powerfully  on  Imagina- 
tion, for  the  action  of  the  waters  has  nearly  effaced 
them  altogether.  The  lii'st  oi-  highest  represented 
the  profile  of  a  negro ;  the  second,  of  a  well  featured 
;  young  man  ;  and  the  third,  of  an  aged  man  with 
spectacles. 


J 


o 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


57 


.-Ji 


Tlit>  thrill?  I'mtiles. 


THE     THREE     PROFILE 


m 


58 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Horse  ihoe   Full — Prospect  Tower. 


VIEW   OF  THE   HORSE-SHOE  FALL. 

We  now  face  towards  Canada,  and  by  pursuing 
this  v/alk  soon  come  in  sight  of  the  Terrapin  Rocks, 
Bridge,  Tower,  and  the  beautiful  curve  called  the 
Horseshoe  Fall. 

How  magical  is  the  scene  hfore  us  !  Let  us 
contemplate  it 

As  you  perceive,  the  name  of  this  Fall  is  rather 
inappropriate  now,  as  the  coi.Htanfc  giving  way  of 
parts  so  changed  its  form,  that  it  rather  resembles 
the  figure  6. 

PROSPECT     TOWER. 

This  stone  building  is  forty-five  feet  high,  and  was 
erected  in  the  year  1833,  by  Judge  Porter.  There 
is  a  flight  of  winding  stairs  inside  by  which  you 
ascend  and  obfcnin  one  of  the  most  unutterably 
mngnificent  views  that  the  mind  can  take  in. 

You  look  down  into  the  very  caldron  itself,  and 
see  the  peerless  green  waters  how  they  have  been 
lost  in  foam  and  mist.     Look  up  the  rapids,  and  ' 


.L. 


suing 
locks, 
id  the 

liGt  us 


-r  : 


,'     ./,-r--'-- 


father 
ay  of 
mbles 


id  was 
There 
'h  you 
Lerably 


'./*"- '  ■' 


•If,  and 
e  been 
ds,  and  ' 


VEI 


VEl  VV  OF  THE  GREAT   FALL 


K>...'  ^  V 


^^,^:    ^._i^ 


\m\ 


■-mwmimmM 


liiUl>r'l''-'r'l'-'in!::;lh 


f!h'.    '«;a3r!^--  ■  .j. 


IE  GREAT  FALLS  FROM  GOAT  IS! 


i. 


'^1* 


J 


*.' 


^  '*i- 


v'i- 


\s\ 


V'     /j 


•'  1    '"i   » 


1.                                    -^ 

^1                               * 

V                                       1                    * 

l.r<^-  .#-.^ 

.••\:^':*i 

^        .L^ 

, :,,      •%-  •    ■' 

* 

■^'y      ..^ 

.   > 


f 


■..:'/VJ. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


69 


Li'. I 


,i 


''■    !J. 


:;■/ 


Ri'innini  i)f  n  Urii||;«— Fruiuni  Abbott,  the  lifrmit. 


sec  thuse  beautiful  billows  rushinjj  madly  on  in 
their  wild  career  as  if  desirous  of  their  destined 
leap.  Look  at  <'ither  side  and  behold  the  smiling 
green  sh(jres  and  hear  the  thoughtless  birds  how 
they  carrol  on,  unconscious  of  the  dread  abyss 
and  unscared  by  its  endless  thunder. 

Those  timbers  which  you  see  scattered  about, 
are  the  poor  remains  of  a  once  highly  useful  bridge 
which  Gen.  Whitney  built  here. 

You  see  that  timber  which  projects  over  the 
gulph.  On  it  Francis  Abbott,  the  hermit  of  the 
Falls,  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  a  daily  walk, 
reaching  the  very  end,  and  turning  on  his  heel  to 
come  back.  A  feat  which  tew  would  have  nerve 
enough  to  perform. 


'.'  A-i   ■  i-i.-       ' 


6 


i 


60 


DESCIPTIVE    GUIDP: 


The  Hiddle  Stuii-ciise, 


-i 


THE    BIDDLE    STAIR-CASE. 

0  W  let  us  return  by  tlie  walk  we 
came  from  Prospect  Island,  and  visit 
The  Biddle  Staircase,  which  we 
passed  in  coming-  here. 

This  staircase  takes  its  name  from  ISTicholas 
Biddle,  Esq.,  at  whose  expense  it  was  erected  in 
1829,  and  to  whom  the  tourist  is  deeply  indebted, 
as  it  enabled  him  to  reach  this  part  of  the  island, 
to  pass  over  the  rocks,  and  approach  the  falling 
sheet  of  water.  Before  its  construction,  the  tourist 
had  to  come  in  a  boat  from  the  ferry. 

A  steep  of  some  forty  feet,  notched  into  rude 
steps,  leads  to  the  head  of  the  staircase,  which  is 
about  eighty  feet,  having  ninety  steps.  From  this 
staircase  down  to  the  river  is  eigiity  feet  more  of 
descent  ;  making  the  total  descent  from  the  top 
of  the  bank  above,  one  hundred  and  eighty-five 
feet.  At  this  point  of  the  river  below,  the  angler 
may  enjoy  his  vocation  in  an  unequalled  degree. 
Shortly  after  this  staircase  was  finished,  in  the  fall 


i 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


6] 


Sam  Piiliiii,  tl\i'  jumpt;r — Foot  of  tliu  Ciilunict. 


of  1820,  the  eccentric  Sam  Patch,  the  most  daring 
juniper  in  tlie  world,  made  two  successful  leaps 
here  from  a  platform  ninety -seven  feet  high  !  Poor 
Sam,  not  content  witli  his  gloiy,  made  another,  and 
a  greater  leap  at  th(^.  Genesee  Falls  ;  but  suUl  his 
ambilloii  was  ungratiiied  ;  he  jumped  once  more 
from  the  same  place  from  a  height  of  one  liundred  I 
and  twenty-five  feet!  This  was  liis  last  leap  :  for 
Sam  Patch  never  rose  ao-ain,  and  never  since  has 
been  heard  of 

Having  descended  the  Biddle  Stairs,  we  advance 
along  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff,  with  the  fearfully  im- 
pending rochs  above  us,  seeming  as  if  ready  just 
now  to  fall  and  crush  us.  Yet,  with  all  this  fear, 
there  i;;  something  so  imposing  in  our  situation  as 
to  render  it  pleasiiig,  although  you  see  innumerable 
eviih'uces  around  you  of  the  constant  falling  dcjwn 
of  fragments  fi'om  abov(\  But  it  is  a  sort  of  assu- 
rance to  one  that,  amonost  the  countless  tourists 
who  have  trod  this  path  till  now,  not  a  single  acci- 
dent lias  yet  occurred. 

Let  us  now  approach  the  foot  of  the  Cataract, 
and  vi(nv  the  awful  splendor  of  this  scene.  Look 
at  that  hue  of  green  in  the  horseshoe  fall — wliat  can 
erpial  that  ?  See  the  rich  silvery  waters,  how  they 
chase  each  other  down  that  terrible  descent.    Here, 


L 


62 


DESCKIPTIVE    GUIDE 


The  sheet  of  rolling  glass — The  Rninbow. 


resembling  frosted  pillars  of  snow ;  there,  one  solid 
sheet  of  rolling  glass  !  Behold  that  lovely  rain- 
bow— fit  accompaniment  of  such  a  picture. 

Gaze  on.     We  are  in  the  presence  of  the  en- 
chanter. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


G3 


The  Lower  Fishing  Uork — View  of  the  great  Anieiiiim  F;ill. 


L- 


TIIE    CATE    OF   THE    WINDS. 


N  leavino"  the  BiddJe  Stairs,  our  best 
course  is  to  proceed  to  the  Central 
Fall.  Let  us  descend  this  sloping- 
bank  to  that  limestone  rock  at  the 
lowest  [)oint  of  the  shore  of  Iris  Island,  called  the 
L(»\v('r  Fishing"  Rock. 

Fj'oni  this  point  see  what  a  noble  view  we  have 
of  lli'  ;n-(\-it  Amei'ican  Fall.  See  the  bold  cataract, 
how  ir,  falls  in  brilliant  folds  doAvn  tlie  miglit}^ 
precipice  !  What  a  scene  for  an  atheist  to  look 
upon,  and  then  denj^  the  existence  of  an  all  power- 
ful Creator  !  How  vast,  how  grand,  how  bewilder- 
ing to  the  mind  !  Dwell  on  it,  stranger — tr}'-  to 
bring"  its  magnitude  within  the  limits  of  your  com- 
pi-ehension  and  acknowledge  yourself  an  atom,  a 
mere  atom  in  nature,  for  tha^  you  are,  and  no 
more.  Then,  what  is  life  but  a  short  confused 
a'am(i  of  mortality! 

As  we  r Or- ascend  the  sloping  '-:ank  to  the  Central 

0* 


64 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


'Ihe  Centr.-.l  Fall— Tho  Ciivo  nf  the  Winils. 


Fall,  we  have  before  us  that  great  curiosity,  known 


THE    CAVE    OF   THE    WINDS. 


Come,  let  us  enter.  But,  first,  cast  your  eyes 
upwards,  and  behold  liiO  impending'  clill'  which 
overhangs  us  111'.'  a  u;.-k  aestiny,  and  see  thai  nuig- 
niiicent  sheet  of  snowy  purity,  how  it  hfaps  exultant 
fronri  the  topmost  rock,  and  flashes  dovv.i  into  mid 
air,  and  plunges  below  with  the  lioarse  voice  of 
thunder  ! 

Let  us  descend  these  rude  steps,  rind  enl^'r  the 
cavern.  Listen — here  miuhtthe  ancients  have  lo- 
cated  Boreas,  for,  surely,  all  the  chaiiHul  storms 
are  fretting  out  their  madness  iiere  ! 

Now  we  are  at  the  bottom.  T^et  us  refii'o  to  the 
back  of  the  cavern,  and  gaze  in  silence  on  the 
wondrous  scene.  This  awful  t(Mnple  of  iS'ature 
was  first  entered  in  1834,  by  M(^ssrs.  Wihtk  and 
Sims,  residents  of  the  village  iihovr.  lis.  They 
came  in  a  boat  from  the  foot  of  Prosp«'ct  Island, 
and  entered  the  Cave  with  a  great  deal  of  diniculty. 
Some,  for  the  romance  of  the  tliitig,  enter  hv  the 
same  way  now,  although  thei-e  Is  no  necessity  for 
so  doing. 

The  dimensions  of  the  Cave  nvc  one  liundred 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


05 


*  Crtvo  of  tlie  Winds — A  tit  Piilaoe  for  Old  Neptiini'. 

feet  v\  Ide,  thirty  feet  deep,  and  one  hundi-ed  and 
tliirty-eiglit  feet  high.  The  bottom  is  about  thirty- 
five  feet  frona  the  water's  edge,  and  is  composed 
of  those  fra^menta  -which  time  and  tlie  wearino- 
caUiract  liave  broken  and  let  fall  upon  the  spot. 

It  is  curious  to  observe  the  spray  how  it  curls 
along  the  sloping  bottom  of  the  cav«'rn,  then  roll- 
ing up  along  the  rocky  back,  seeks  the  shelving 
ceiling  wlu-re  it  breaks  into  distinct  portions,  and  by 
its  ('jnstant  action  on  th(^  air  gives  those  revei-bera- 
tions  whi'-h  o  £>,iven  rise  to  its  title  of  "  the  Cave 
of  the  Wii 


>» 


/V  fit  palace  for 


^r.^^r^*--: — . 


0L(/    NEPTUNE    HIMSELF. 


66 


DESCKirriVE    GUIDE 


I'lisdJi^Cf  unilfi"  llif  Aiiieiiiitn  Kail — U'lid  ioiiikI  his  Islainl 


THE    A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    S  II  E  E  T  . 

F  R  E,  behveen  the  Centi-al  and 
American  Falls,  tliei'e  is  a  vacant 
sp;]ce,  immediately  at  t)ie  foot  of  Pros- 
[icct  Island  ;  it  is  roofed  by  the  tum- 
bling case  .de.  Let  us  enter  and  rest  awhile.  Oh, 
what  a  view  1.  .  ve  we  liere  ! 

Come  now,  we  will  i-amble  to  the  American  Fall, 
and  pass  under  it  as  far  as  you  dare.  There  is  no 
doubt  of  there  being  a  passage  clear  through,  but 
who  is  he  Avho  would  dare  to  pass  it?  How  over- 
whelming is  the  majesty  of  this  place — how  awe- 
inspiring,  yet  sublimely  beautiful ! 

We  will  now  ascend  the  Biddle  Staircase,  and 
resume  our  dress.  Here  we  will  rest,  before  we 
take 

THE     TOUR     OF     IRIS     ISLAND. 

The  road  runs  entirely  round  the  Island,  and 
presents  many  attractions.  Here  you  perceive  the 
road  has  been  carried  away  by  the  constant  en- 
croachments of  the  ceaseless  flood. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


67 


The  Mini  I'aiiiils — Ueinnins  of  tho  tliig-8lii|i  Deircit. 


See  those  trees  that  are  now  trailuiu'  in  tlio  wa- 
ter.  They  were  once  flourishing  on  the  lirm  bank. 
Look  from  this  point  at  the  mad  rapids,  as  they 
career  u'ono-  to  their  awfid  boundary. 

ThoiC  timbers  wliich  you  observe  anion ost  tlie 
rocks  are  the  remains  of  the  Detroit,  the  llag-ship 
of  Captain  Barchiy,  whicli  was  captured  together 
with  several  other  vessels,  in  the  memorable  battle 
of  Lake  Erie,  when  Commodore  Perry  gained  a 
decisive  victory  over  the  British,  September  the 
10th,  1813. 

The  Detroit  was  brought  here  from  Buffalo  in 
the  autumn  of  1841,  with  the  intendon  of  sending 
her  over  the  Falls.  Great  numbers  of  spectators 
assembled,  but  were  doomed  to  be  disappointed, 
for  the  Detroit,  strikinnf  a^'ainst  one  of  those  ledg-es 
of  rocks  in  the  rapids,  was  at  once  dismasted,  and 
became  n  wi-eck  ;  part  of  her  went  over  the  Falls  in 
the  night  time,  and  parts  have  been  going  over  at 
intervals  since.,  until  now  tlie  few  sticks  which  re- 
main, are  all  that  may  be  seen  of  the  once  gallant 
ship-of-war. 


68 


DESCRU'TIVE    GUIDE 


RIi>Ha  InIiiiiiI — 'I'll*  miniitiiru  ('utaraol. 


MOSS   ISLAND. 


-•( 


II  T  S  lovely  Island  is  so  called  from 
its  being  covered  with  a  lovely  velvet- 
iike  moss.  It  presents  one  of  the 
sweetest  spots  that  eye  can  rest  upon. 
Here  tliat  eccentric  character  called  "  The  Hermit 
of  tile  Falls,"  proposed  to  build  a  cott;ige  in  the 
rusti(5  style,  wilh  a  draw-bridge  to  the  island,  by 
which  he  might  be  alone  when  he  pleased.  It  is 
a  pity  that  permission  was  not  given  for  the  erection 
of  this  hermitage,  as  it  would  have  added  very 
much  to  the  romance  of  the  Falls. 

The  islands  outside  Moss  Island  are  called  the 
Sisters.  It  would  be  a  vast  addiUon  to  the  interest 
of  this  locality,  if  these  beautiful  islandii  were  united 
by  bridges. 

Between  Moss  and  Iris  Islands,  therf^  is  a  minia- 
ture cataract,  which  is  inexpressibly  beautiful  This 
the  Hermit  of  the  Falls  was  in  the  habit  of  using 
as  a  shower-batli,  and  certainly  a  more  delightful 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


00 


lliiiut  of  Irb  Islnnd— Tlie  flerniituf  the  Fullfi. 


one  could  not  have  been  enjoyed  by  any  prince  or 
potentate. 

We  are  now  at  the  head  of  Iris  Island  Here, 
before  the  formation  of  the  briuge,  tlie  stranger 
was  compelled  to  gratify  his  cmiosity  at  the  peril 
of  his  hfe,  by  navigating  to  this  point  .between  the 
rapids  on  either  side — a  daring  venture. 

See,  here  is  the  far-famed 


HOUSE     OF     THE     HERMIT. 


Here  is  the  spot  where  resided  the  eccentric  and 
unfortunate  Francis  Abbott,  commonly  known  as 

the  HEItMlT    OF    THE    FalLS. 

He  was  a  young  Englishman,  who,  coming  to 
visit  the  Falls  in  1829,  became  so  overpowered  tliat 
he  could  not  withdraw  himself  from  the  romantic 
spot,  but  remained  week  after  week,  and  month 
after  month,  until  at  last  liis  love  of  the  wild  scene 
became  a  mono  mania,  and  he  sliunned  all  society, 
save  that  of  natura      He  was  learned,  highly  ac- 


70 


DESCUIPTIVK    OIJIDK 


'I'lit!  lloriiiil'H  loKl  ri'slinif  plHrp. 


complishcd,  gifted  with  a  most  attractive  person, 
and  a  linished  elco-ance  of  manner,  which  at  once 
bespoke  liim  of  high  origin.  But,  as  to  liis  real 
name  or  liistory,  all  is  secret 

In  June,  18'J1,  lie  was  bathing  in  the  river  be- 
low the  Falls,  when,  it  is  supposed,  he  got  into  the 
current  and  was  drowned.  His  body  was  picked 
up  some  ten  days  after  at  Fort  Niagara,  and  buried 
at  his  loved  Niagara  Falls.  He  was  about  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age  when  he  perished.  But  )  .urs 
and  centuries  will  pass  away  before  the  memory 
can  be  obliterated  of 


TUB     HERMIT     OF     THE     FALLS. 


? 


it 


Irson, 

I  once 

real 


I 


? 


TO    NIAOAKA    FALLS. 


Tli«  Grovi's—HridKft'  ut  Bftth  Ifilrinil. 


THE    GRAVES. 

EAR  this  spot  on  an  eloTated  sand- 
bank ^ome  mounds  existed,  which,  on 
exuiuination,  proved  to  be  graves.  Hu- 
p^  man  remains  were  discovered  rn  them; 
each  mound  containing  a  body  in  a  sitting  position. 
None  of  the  Indian  tribes  now  in  existence  can 
account  iur  these  remains,  although  it  is  highly 
pro])ablc  that  they  were  of  some  of  the  aboriginal 
tnl)es,  who  here  worshiped  the  Great  Spirit  within 
the  sound  of  his  almighty  voice,  sent  up  from  the 
fathomless  depths  of  the  waters  ! 

We  have  now  gained  the  bridge  which  leads  to 
Bath  Island. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


S?' 


^ 


'^ 


% 


o 


.»* 


/.f^ 


<  <t 


K^ 


/.. 


% 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


I^|2j8     |2.5 

■^  1^    12.2 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  872-4503 


12 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Point  View — The  ferry.stnirs. 


THE    CANADA    SIDE. 


n 


A  V I N  G  now  seen  all  that  is  worthy 
of  notice  on  the  American,  let  us  cross 
to  the  British  shore. 
Here  is  Point  View,  from  whence 
we  took  our  first  observation  of  the  Falls ;  and 
here  close  at  hand  is  the  ferry-stairs.  Let  us  step 
into  the  cars,  which  an  overshot  water-wheel  when 
loosened,  will  cause  to  descend,  and  at  the  same 
time  bring  up  the  return  cars  on  the  next  track  to 
ours.  This  water-wheel  is  turned  by  a  branch  of 
the  cataract  itself.  In  tlie  spring  of  1850,  the 
rocks  here  gave  way  and  impeded  the  course  of 
this  railway  for  a  time. 

Some  persons  walk  up  these  stairs  for  exercise 
or  amusement ;  but,  as  there  are  some  700  steps, 
the  operation  is  very  fatiguing.  There  is  no  addi- 
tional charge  made  for  descending  in  the  cars  to 
those  who  mtend  to  cross  the  ferry  ;  aU  is  paid 
for  at  the  head  of  the  stairs. 
At  the  bottom  of  this  railway  is  a  platform,  and 


\ 


vf 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


73 


Kt 


Tlie  fer'-y-biiat--Tlio  brawny  boaUnnii. 


an  easy  fliglit  of  stairs,  to  the  right  of  which  brings 
you  at  once  into  the  presence  of  the  Falls. 

This  view  is  very  grand.  But,  mufHe  yourself 
up,  and  enter  the  ferry-boat,  that  we  may  cross  to 
the  Canada  side.  There  is  no  view  more  compre- 
hensive or  grander  than  the 


VIEW      FROM     T  IJ  E      I'  E  U  li  i 

Over  to  the  other  side,  is  but  a  distan/^c  '>j  a 
little  over  four  hundred  yards,  in  a  straigJit  line. 
But,  to  humor  the  current,  this  brawny  boatman 
of  ours  pulls  up  towards  the  Falls,  and  is  by  it 
borne  back  towards  his  landing,  which  he  has  to 
pull  hard  for,  lest  he  be  carried  past.  There  has 
been  no  accident  to  record  at  tliis  apparently  dan- 
gerous passage,  witliin  the  memory  of  any  one 
living 


I 


74 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


CroRsinK  tlie  river — View  from  tho  Canmln  side. 


T         "■  i 


-M 


Now  view  the  whole  panorama  of  the  Falls. 
Can  any  thing  equal  that  ?  Look  above,  around, 
and  beneath  you.  How  awful  is  the  might  of  that 
Supreme  Being  whose  work  this  is. 

The  boat  begins  to  toss,  but  don't  be  alarmed,  it 
is  the  agitation  of  the  current,  and  the  skill  of  our 
experienced  boatman  will  soon  bear  us  into  still 
water. 

Gaze  on  that  amphitheatre  of  Cataracts,  and 
listen  to  their  roar.  Extensive  as  they  seem,  we 
have  but  a  perspective  view  of  them — the  beau- 
tiful Horse-shoe  being  a  considerable  distance 
from  us. 

Now  we  are  nearing  the  Province  of  Queen 
Victoria,  where  a  circuitous  road  leads  to  the  lofty 
height  above. 

As  we  ascend,  let  us  pause  at  intervals,  and  look 
back  upon  the  rushing  Niagara,  which  we  have 
just  crossed,  and  as  we  ascend  still  higher,  and  the 
road  winds,  we  behold  the  glorious  Falls  in  all  their 
sublimity. 

But  let  us  advance  up  this  easy-ascending  roa-i, 
for  the  formation  of  which  we  have  to  thank 
Messrs.  Street  and  Clarke,  to  whom,  as  a  com- 
pensation, the  Canadian  Government  granted  the 


■M 


i 


Falls. 
)und, 
fthat 

led,  it 
)f  our 
0  still 

3,  and 

!in,  we 

beau- 

istance 

Queen 
le  lofty 

nd  look 
e  have 
and  the 
all  their 

QO'  roaa, 
o  thank  \ 
\  a  com- 
iited  the 


/       ! 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


View  from  Table  Rock. 


sole  right  to  the  ferry  for  twenty-one  years,  from 
the  completion  of  the  road  in  1827. 

Now,  that  we  have  reached  the  upper  world 
again,  let  us  proceed  towards  the  Falls  and  g^ize  on 
the  view  from  Table  Rock 


J 


7* 


hi 


'"  i!;:V::v'i!lii!i'! 


'^laii. 


,,   I  Ji'^hiJii ;  I'll'' 


'■ii?*i',*i 


Mill 


Mh-. 


%lMB.'..''mM 


'■i'ii' 


;i;ii'i'.i' 


1  lilim^^ 

mmmmm 
'mm 


i|,;:!!n;i!l'!l!!l'i>l! 


"^1":,  ■' ''i': 


s> 


o 


O 
■))'   ^ 


TO    NIAGARA    FALiS. 


'J'liblo  Unc'l*,  leas  in  extfiit  tlmn  formerly. 


VIEW  FROM  TABLE  ROCK. 


This  Rock,  which 
from  its  flat  surface,  stretching*  over  the  chasm 
like  the  raised  leaf  of  a  table,  is  on  the  same  level 
with  the  Falls,  and  belongs  to  the  great  ledge  over 
wliich  the  Horseshoe  fallfj. 

Cautiously  approach  tlie  edge,  and  look  down. 
Is  it  not  thrilling  !  Look  not  long,  lest  your  head 
grow  dizzy. 

Table  Rock  was  of  much  greater  extent  than  it 
is  at  present.  Very  large  portions  have  from  time 
to  time  fallen  away.  In  the  year  1818,  a  piece 
nearly  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long,  and  forty 
feet  wide,  broke  away  at  midnight,  arousing  and 
terrifying  the  inhabitants  for  miles  round,  with  the 
mighty  crash,  which  they  conceived  to  be  an  earth- 
quake. In  1828,  and  the  following  year,  other 
portions  came  away,  and  from  existing  appearances, 


J 


r 


i 


78 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Stniri'iisu  undo  •  tlio  rock — Tulilc  Kuck  iVnin  Ih'I   w. 


it  is  evident  that  another  crash  may  soon  be  ex- 
pected. Let  us  now  return  to  the  st:iircase  that 
leads  under  the  rock. 

Here  we  will  procure  the  apparel  necessary  to 
protect  us  from  the  eft'ects  of  a  wctling,  v.  iiich  we 
may  surely  expect 

These  spu\al  stairs  were  erected  by  a  Mr.  For- 
syth, several  years  ago,  and  afford  a  great  facility 
for  viewino-  one  of  the  most  astoundino-  siohts  that 
can  be  presented  to  the  mind  of  man,  namely : 

TABLE  ROCK  FROM  BELOW 

Here  is  a  temple  of  the  living  God  !  Here  is 
the  sanctuary  of  His  awful  greatness.  Here  the 
incense  of  air  and  water,  rising  in  endless  mist  to 
heaven,  amid  the  humid  thunder  which  roars  and 
roars  eternally. 

Where  may  the  ambitious,  the  proud,  and  the 
arrogant  so  perfectly  judge  of  their  own  excessive 
httleness,  as  in  the  giant  presence  of  this  sacred 
shrine  ? 

Come,  let  us  press  on  our  way  behind  the  sheet. 
The  spray  beats  hard  in  our  faces,  and  with  thick 
mist  almost  prevents  our  progress.  But,  remember 
thousands  have  pursued  this  course  before  us,  and 
why  not  we  ? 


f  ■ 


s 


TO    NIAGAKA    FALLS. 


79 


Tho  Ledge— The  Rook— The  Ciivern. 


Here  we  luilt.  Tlie  clouds  of  driving  mists  arc 
thinner.  Let  us  look  around.  The  spot  on  which 
you  stand,  is  but  a  ledge  some  throe  feet  wide. 
The  Rock  is  ninety  feet  above  our  heads,  and  be- 
neath our  feet,  it  is  seventy  feet  down  to  the  boiling 
cauldron  where  the  tuniblino-  waters  fall. 

See  that  vast  cavern,  which,  like  some  mysterious 
recess  of  Nature,  stretches  out  in  seeming  safety 
before  us.  We  dare  not  venture  more  than  a  few 
feet  towards  it,  and  that  at  the  extreme  peril  of  our 
lives. 

You  have  now  seen  Termination  Rock.  Let  us 
return  and  change  our  wet  clothes — register  your 
name,  take  a  certificate  of  your  visit  to  this  won- 
derful spot,  rest,  view  the  curiosities  of  the 
Museum,  and  return  to  the  ferry. 

Ao-ain  we  view  from  the  tossed  boat,  the  awing 
gTandeur  of  the  scene,  and,  with  the  details  fresh 
upon  our  mind,  what  can  be  more  thrilling  than  the 
great  frontispiece  before  us  ? 

Now  we  are  landed  once  again  on  the  soil  of  the 
United  States.  We  ascend  the  railway,  and  are 
once  more  in  the  village  of  Niagara  Falls. 


i.^— 


80 


DESCKIPTIVB    GUIDE 


Tho  Publio  Uanleii— The  Road-wnj  to  th«  River. 


J: 


'  . 


, 


SCENES  IN  THE  VICINITY 
OF  THE  FALLS. 

0  U  have  been  round,  and  we  may 
say,  through  the  Falls,  as  far  as  prac- 
J  ticable.    Let  us  now  view  the  wonders 
and  beauties  of  its  vicinity. 
As  we  advance  a  few  rods,  we  arrive  at 

THE     PUBLIC     GARDEN. 

Here  is  a  beautiful  summer-house  on  the  brow 
of  the  precipice,  from  whence  we  view  the  Falls 
and  the  river  in  a  mao-nificent  lioht.  This  sum- 
mer-house  occupies  the  site  of  the  hut  erected  by 
Francis  Abbott,  the  Hermit  of  the  Falls,  whose 
history  we  have  before  adverted  to,  and  who  re- 
sided in  it  for  many  years. 

We  now  proceed  some  eighty  rods  further,  and 
come  to 

THE  ROAD- WAY  TO  THE  RIVER. 

This  carriage-way  was  projected  some  36  years 
ao-o  ;  but,  for  some  reason  or  other  was  discon- 


■1 


'( 


9.1 


;   \ 


I 


TO    NIAGARA   FALLS. 


81 


The  Indian  livihler— I'uint  View. 


tinuod.  In  183G,  Mr.  Ratiidun  recommenced  it  ; 
but,  the  imprisonment  of  that  active  man  for  for- 
gery put  a  second  stop  to  it 

Let  us  go  down  aad  take  a  trip  up  to  the  foot 
of  the  Falls  on  this  little  steamer,  appropriately 
named  the  Maid  of  the  Mist.  It  is  an  excursion 
which  amply  repays  the  visitor,  and  is  perfectly 
safe. 

Here  is  the 

INDIAN     LADDER. 

This,  which  you  perceive  to  be  no  more  than  a 
large  cedar  tree,  resting  against  the  rock,  with  the 
limbs  and  a  few  notches  answering  for  rounds,  was 
once  the  only  means  of  descending  to  the  bottom 
of  the  bank — a  dangerous  operation,  truly,  and  one 
which  is  never  ventured  on.  The  last  daring  indi- 
vidual, who  trusted  to  it,  being  a  daring  hunter, 
named  Brooks,  who,  several  years  ago,  went  down 
in  pursuit  of  game,  and  fell  before  he  reached  the 
bottom,  receiving  some  severe  contusions. 

Here  is 


POINT     TIBW. 


From  this,  we  catch  a  beautiful  distinct  view  of 


82 


DESCKIPTIVfi    GUIDE 


iiullvviit — Tb*  Mincritl  Spring. 


the  chasm,  river,  and  Falls,  and  here  has  grown  up, 
like  magic,  a  charmiug  little  hamlet  culled 

BE  LLE  V  U  E. 

Here  we  are,  one  mile  and  a  half  below  the 
Falls — comnmnding  an  excellent  view  of  that 
charm  of  nature.  You  see  that  this  little  locality- 
is  already  well  provided  with  places  of  entertain- 
ment, and  has  a  grist  mill,  the  shaft  of  the  wheel 
of  which  is  200  feet  in  perpendicular  length.  The 
mill  and  its  machinery  being  on  the  top  of  the 
bank,  whilst  the  wheel  which  works  it,  is  turned  by 
the  rapid  Niagara  river  that  runs  past,  two  hun- 
dred feet  beneath. 

Here  is  the  celebrated 


$« 


} 


i 


MINER A  L     SP 


RI»J(4^ 


which  wells  up  between  the  rocks,  and  finds  a  rest- 
ing-place in  a  stone  basin.     It  is  strongly  sulphm*- 


i    • 


M^     i 


i 


TO    NFAGARA    FALLS. 


83 


Siuppiuion  nriilfro. 


ous,  and  contains  lime  and  magnosiju  Tliis  cliaste 
littl'i  temple  wjis  designed  und  erected  by  Mr. 
Uathhun. 

Turn  \vc  now  to  the  mighty  attraction  "which 
gave  a  location  and  a  name  to  Bellevue.  One 
of  the  wonders  of  this  ajre  of  wonders.  What 
visitor  could  say,  he  saw  th(^  Falls,  but  not 

THE    SUSPENSION     BRIDGE? 

This  truly  fairy-like  work  was  commenced  in 
February,  1849,  under  the  suprintendence  of 
Charles  Eilet^  Jr.,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphiji,  an  En- 
gineer of  good  previous  reputation,  and  who,  hi 
this  work,  added  much  to  his  fame. 

The  bridge  was  contracted  to  be  built  for  the 
*'  Niagara  Falls  Suspension  Bridge  Company,"  on 
the  Canada  side,  and  "  The  Niagara  Falls  Inter- 
national Bridge  Company,"  on  the  American  side 
conjointly  ;  a  bill  for  the  purpose  being  passed 
by  the  Legislature  of  each  country. 

The  manner  in  which  the  first  line  of  connection 
was  formed,  was  at  once  simple,  yet  ingenious.  A 
kite  was  procured,  to  the  tail  of  which  was  a  string, 
and  by  flying  this  on  the  one  side,  and  letting  it  out 
until  it  was  over  the  other  side,  the  gorge  was 
spanned  by  the  string,  by  which  a  cord  was  drawn 

8 


5^1 


' 


il 


for   *e  fif  ^""'oetL  length.    Towers  Uad 
wc,  which  was  11  to  tcet  i        b  ^^ 

„ow  been  erected  on  each  b  nk^  800  P^  ^_^^^ 

,,,,ieh  this  wh-e-cable  -as  seemed  „'"i„,,„eement, 
of  March,  iustonenionth^^ro.^^^^^^^^ 

Mr.  Ellet   crossed  m  an  ^^_ 

^'•-\nte\lt:rrt::cr'^e^''-^^^^^ 

rd::ir;;e:ispaaforthenoveU,ofa 

trip  -~;'-«l  Sun  width,  was  soon  eon- 
A  foot-bridge,  three  teet  in 

Ei;:?S-nowfor^dparaneit«this. 

and  the  basket-cable  in  tl-  -^  ^^  ^,.,  ,,, 

A  terrific  scene  occurred  l"^  „^  ^^t. 
Whilst  the  workmen  were  ^^^  f ^  ^^  ;  feet  from 
bridge,  which  w>.  -— \totomL  British. 
t,o  American  side  -d^^^^^^^^      ^^^.^,„^  ,  ^„,e 

^  *""ti.rn*ere  at'work  upon  the  floo^ng  o 

the  bndge  at  'l^  ^'^T  ^^de  their  way  to 

a  most  unaccountable  manner 


IC 


suifi- 
being 

ransit 

o.  10 
rs  liad 
art,  by 
13th 
ement, 
pcnded 
id  con- 
bridge. 
Ity  of  a 

oon  con- 
persons 
[itor.     A 
;1  to  this, 

this  time, 
ond  foot- 
feet  from 
le  British, 
g  it  quite 
coring  of 
whom  in 
3ir  way  to 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


85 


Workmen  rescuoil. 


the  shore  upon  fragments  of  boards.  The  unlin- 
islKid  structure  was  torn  and  wafted  backwards  and 
forwards  like  the  broken  web  of  a  spider,  and  four 
lielpless  human  beings,  200  feet  from  the  shore, 
supported  by  two  strands  of  No.  10  wire,  Avere  in 
constant  expectation  of  a  headlong  fall  and  plunge 
into  the  rapids  below  !  Oh,  wlio  can  fathom  those 
men's  thougiits  just  then  ?  But  the  tiny  thread 
wliich  held  them  to  existence,  proved  strong  enough 
to  outlast  the  gale.  On  the  first  cessation  of  the 
tornado's  force,  a  brave  fellow-workman  marnied 
the  iron  basket,  and  with  a  ladder  proceeded  amid 
the  pelting  of  the  furitms  rain  to  save  the  suffercs 
He  reached  the  wreck  ;  he  placed  his  ladder  in 
communication  with  it,  and  the  basket  thus  aftbrd- 
ing  a  means  by  which  all  were  brought  back  safe 
to  terra-iirma,  uninjured  in  person,  but  well  nigh 
scared  to  death. 

On  tlu^  26th  of  July  following,  Mr.  Ellet  drove 
a  Sjian  of  liorses  and  a  heavy  carriage  over  and 
back,  accompanied  by  his  lady. 

A  disaoTcement,  Avhich  had  for  some  time  ex- 
istcd  between  the  directors  and  Mr.  Elle'I",  now 
came  to  an  open  rupture,  and  the  work  was  dis- 
continued for  some  time. 

Tlie  bridge,  which  we  sec,  is  not  the  structure 


86 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


IleiKht  of  tho  Bridge. 


originally  intended.  This  being  merely  prepara- 
tory to  the  great  structure,  which  was  to  have  been 
suspended  from  stone  towers,  YO  feet  high,  and 
which  would  have  been  10  feet  higher  than  the 
present  bridge,  and  wholly  independent  of  it. 

The  present  bridge  was  at  first  economically 
formed  of  very  slight  materials,  it  not  being  ex- 
pected to  last  longer  than,  until  the  great  bridge 
was  constructed,  about  a  year  and  a  half.  It  has, 
however,  been  strengthened  materially,  and  is  now 
capable  of  sustaining  250  tons,  and  is  in  use  as  a 
thoroughfare,  unshaken  by  the  greatest  piessurc. 
The  floor  of  the  bridi>e  is  230  feet  above  the 

'  the  river  immedic 


river, 


depth 


itely 


der  the  brid2:e  is  250  feet. 


THE     WHIRLPOOL. 


From  the  Suspension  Brido-e  to  the  commence- 
ment  of  the  Whirlpool  Rapids,  is  about  a  hundred 
rods ;  and  the  Whirlpool  itself  is  about  three  miles 
from  the  Falls,  and  one  hundred  rods  from  the 
main  road.  A  tavern  occupies  the  intervening 
space,  the  garden  of  which  is  neatly  laid  out,  and 
steps  are  to  be  found  here,  which  lead  to  the  river. 
A  small  fee  is  required  of  the  stranger  for  admis- 
sion. 


TO    NIAGARA   FALLS. 


87 


The   Wliiilpooi. 


jpara- 

been 

and 

Hn  the 

t. 

nically 
ng  ex- 
bridge 
It  has, 
is  now 
se  as  a 
ressurc. 
Dve  the 
tely  un- 


nmencc- 
hundred 
•ee  miles 
Tom  the 
ervening 
out,  and 
the  river. 
jr  admis- 


On  tlie  American  Chff  is  a  chr.i.jiug  summer- 
house,  designed  by  Mr.  Rathbun. 

Look  down  into  the  circular  basin,  bounded  by 
giant  clifls,  and  see  the  boiling  turmoil  of  waters 
suvLi-inf*'  and  tossino;  in  this  rrreenwood  embowered 
caldron.  No  livino-  tliino-  can  struo'o-le  with  tin's 
angry  whii'lpijol.  Destruction  surely  awaits  all  that 
falls  Avithin  its  reach. 

Ia'A  ns  go  down  these  rude  steps  and  have  a 
closer  view  of  it  ;  for  the  little  f:ticks,  which  we  see 
whii'led  around,  believe  me,  are  in  truth,  large 
timbers. 

JS'ow,  that  we  are  at  tlie  base  of  the  cliff,  and 
on  llh'se  level  rocks,  let  us  note  the  mad  excite- 
ment of  those  raa'iiii>-  waters. 

Come  round  now  to  the  right  and  behold  the 
ontlet  of  the  whirlpool. 

Those  giant  clifls  Avhich  rise  throe  hundred  feet 
and  are  not  thirty  rods  apart,  wall  in  the  recreating 
waters  and  confine  their  wild  impetuous  rush,  so  that 
their  force  rnises  them  in  the  middle,  as  tliey 
plunge  some  dozen  leei  into  the  air,  in  the  very 
recklessness  of  fury. 

There  is  a  better  view  of  the  whii-lpool  from  the 
Canada  cliff.     The  rapids,  as  tliey  enter,  are  almost 

8* 


m 


I 


I 


:?  . 


i  ■<     f 


..y^i 


88 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE. 


Giant  Cliff. 


in  front  of  you,  and  below  you  is  the  outlet  of 
the  whirlpool  on  the  Canada  side. 

Unlike  the  Falls,  there  is  nothing  to  woo  or  win 
the  senses  about  the  whirlpool.  It  rather  awes 
and  shocks  the  mind  with  its  savage  fury. 

We  will  now  wander  on  to  view 


DEVIL  S    HOLE  -PRGM    BELOW 

This  is  a  deep,  dark  cave,  or  chasm,  in  the  i-ocky 
bank — a  gloomy  spot ,  the  sad  history  coiinectL'd  ' 


J 


1 1 


t» 


♦I- 


of 

[win 
Lwes 


1 1 


t» 


rocky 
lectcd  ' 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


89 


RupidB  iitul  oiitli't  of  Whirlpo'jl— Massocio  of  Bloody  Run, 


♦I' 


with  which  gives  it  a  dismal  interest  in  the  mind 
of  the  visitor.  A  perpendicular  massy  cliff  rises 
above  tliis  demon-titled  cavity,  and  a  narrow  stream 
pours  down  the  cliiF  to  the  dark  rocks  below  and 
hurries  onward  to  the  rapid  river. 

This  gloomy  rock-bound,  forest-hidden  cavern 
has  ni'vcr  felt  the  influence  of  one  soUtary  ray  of 
light  ;  and  from  its  dark  thrilling  depth,  it  probably 
derives  its  nnjst  appropriate  name.  There  is  another 
claim  which  it  possesses,  and  which  likewise  gave 
name  to  that  little  stream,  which  may  be  found  in 
the  thrilling  narative  of 

THE    MASSACRE    OF   BLOODY    RUN. 

In  the  year  l7o9,  Avlien  the  British  had  just 
made  good  their  stand,  by  the  possession  of  Forts 
]S'ia<>-ara  and  8chlosser — the  French  still  hoverino- 
round  them,  having  in  pay  the  Seneca  Indians, 
who  were  then  a  v(iry  powerful  tribe — a  large  sup- 
r)\y  of  provisi'ins  was  forwarded  from  Fort  Niagara 
to  Fort  ochlossi'r,  guarded  by  a  body  of  one  hun» 
dred  reuuiars.  The  Cliief  of  the  Senecas,  anxious 
to  show  his  ardor  in  the  cause  of  his  pay-masters, 
formed  an  ambuscade  of  his  best  warriors,  several 
hundred  strong.  This  was  the  spot  chosen  ;  it  being 
at  that  day  so  thickly  overgrown  with  bushes,  that 


;  ! 


90 


DESCRIVTIVE    GUIDE 


iii'iimi  iiiiibiisctKle. 


it  afforded  an  admirable  place  for  the  execution  of 
the  horrid  project.  The  "wily  Indian  formed  his 
line  along'  the  hill  and  around  the  plain  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  completely  surrmuid  his  victims,  when 
they  should  have  passed  a  certain  line. 

The  day  was  sultry,  and  the  doomed  convoy  not 
expecting  any  danger  near,  scattered,  and  loitered, 
and  dragged  on  their  weaiy  way,  until  they  came 
to  the  Devil's  Hole,  when,  in  gratilication  of  their 
wondering  curiosity,  they  sat  or  lay  down  ai-ound 
the  margin  of  the  fearful  precipice.  Their  fancied 
security  was  now  broken  in  upon  by  a  tremendous 
volley  of  fire-arms,  accompanied  by  the  yells  of 
their  savage  enemies,  who  now  rushed  from  their 
cover,  and  giving  their  unhappy  victims  no  time  for 
consideration,  tomahawked  and  knifed  them  on  the 
spot.  The  whole  convoy  of  wagons,  horses, 
soldiers  and  drivers  were  hurled  over  the  preci- 
pice, and  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  rocks  below! 
whilst  the  little  stream  swelled  to  a  torrent,  purple 
red  with  human  gore. 

Of  all  that  gallant,  heedless  convoy,  but  two 
escaped  to  tell  the  stoiy  of  its  fate  ;  the  one  a 
Mr.  Stedman,  and  the  other  a  private  soldier,  wdio 
was  forced  over  the  precipice,  but  had  the  good 
fortune  in  falling,  to  be  caught  on  the  limb  of  a 


'1 


not 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


91 


Ksciipe  of  Mr.  8(eclijiiin. 


tree  by  the  belt.  Mr.  Stedman  dashed  his  horse 
through  the  Indian  lines,  and  escaped,  amid  a  storm 
of  bullets,  to  Fort  Schlosser,  with  his  clothes  com- 
pletely riddled.  The  soldier  arrived  in  safety,  un- 
der cover  of  the  nioht,  at  Fort  Niao-ara. 

Some  years  ago,  bones,  broken  wheels,  and  other 
mementos  of  this  cruel  assault  were  found  down 
in  the  chasm  and  on  the  rocks,  but  they  have  long 
since  been  lost  in  the  gul£ 


OUTLET    OF   TflE    WHIRLPOOL,  ON  THE    CANADA  SIDE. 


r 


■ 


.  i 


I    .3      r 


'    1  <■  I 


92 


DESCUll'TlVE    GUIDE 


AciMflnirts  III  til!  I'iiIIk. 


ACCIDENTS  WHICH   HAVE    OCCURRED 
AT  THE   FALLS. 

N  Saturday,  tlie  1 3tli  of  July,  1850,  as 
a  boy,  ten  years  old,  was  rowing  his 
father  over  to  tlieir  home  on  Grand 
Island,  the  father  being  so  very  drunk 
as  not  to  be  able  to  assist  any  more  than  to  steer 
the  canoe,  the  wind,  which  was  very  strong  off 
shore,  so  frustrated  the  efforts  of  his  tiny  arm, 
that  the  canoe  in  spite  of  him,  got  into  the  current 
and  finally  into  the  rapids,  within  a  very  few,  rods 
of  the  Falls !  On  went  the  frail  shell,  careering 
and  plunging  as  the  mad  waters  chose.  Still  the 
gallant  little  oarsman  maintained  his  struggle 
with  the  raging  billoAvs,  and  actually  got  the  canoe 
by  his  persevering  .:nanoevring  so  close  to  Iris  Is- 
land, as  to  have  her  driven  by  a  providential  wave 
in  between  the  little  islands,  called  the  Sisters. 
Here  the  father  and  his  dauntless  boy  were  in  still 
greater  danger  for  an  instant ;  for,  there  is  a  fall 


I 


Tit 
t 


if 


1 


Tit 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


93 


AccidunU  hi  ibi.>  FuIIb. 


between  tlic  two  islands,  over  which  had  they  gone, 
no  eaitlily  power  could  have  withheld  their  final 
passng(;  t'>  the  tcirrilic  precipice,  which  forms  the 
Horse-shoe  Fall  !  But  the  sudden  dash  of  a  wave 
capsized  the  canoe,  and  left  the  tw(j  struggling  in 
the  Avater.  Being  near  a  rock,  and  shallow,  the  boy 
lost  no  time,  but  seizing  his  father  by  the  coat  col- 
lar, he  dragged  him  up  to  a  place  of  safety,  where 
the  crowd  of  anxious  citizens  awaited  to  lend  assist- 
ance. The  poor  boy  on  re  ajliing  the  shore  in 
safety,  iiistantly  fainted,  whijj  his  miserable  father 
was  sufficiently  sobered  by  the  perils  he  had 
passed  through ;  and,  if  he  have  the  mind  of  a  man 
he  can  never  recur  to  that  awful  voyage,  without 
a  shiidd(ir  of  horror  at  his  own  beastly  appetite, 
which  reduced  him  to  such  a  condition  as  to  en- 
danger not  alone  his  own  life,  but  that  of  his  gid- 
lant  and  dutiful  child. 

The  canoe  was  daslicd  to  pieces  on  the  rocks 
ere  it  reached  its  final  leap. 

Had  it  been  at  the  other  side  of  Ins  Island,  that 
the  canoe  was  driven  amongst  the  rapids,  it  would 
not  have  been  possible  to  entertain  the  most  dis- 
tant hope  of  their  escape.  There  never  was  known 
an  instance  of  a  boat  on  that  side  Uving  in  the 


ra 


pids. 


.1 ; :. 


94 


DE80UIPTIVE    GUIDE 


AccidentJi  at  the  Fulla. 


A  German,  from  Buffalo,  some  two  years  since, 
a  shoe-maker  by  trade,  either  tlirough  accident  or 
design,  it  is  not  known  wliich,  was  sailing  down  the 
rapids  in  a  small  boat.  There  were  several  spec- 
tators of  his  terrific  situation,  standing  on  the  bridge 
leading  to  Bath  Island,  at  the  time  of  his  approach, 
as  the  dancing  boat  careered  over  the  rolling  rapids 
and  bore  him  close  to  the  bridge,  he  called  out, 
"Shall  I  jump  out,  or  remain  ?"  They  were  too 
horrified  to  answer  him,  and  in  another  instant  the 
boat  had  passed  beneath  the  bridge,  and  was  bump* 
ing  among  the  rocks,  and  plunging  on  the  backs  of 
the  rapids.  At  last,  the  boat  was  capsized  and  the 
doomed  man  was  borne  to  the  terrible  brink,  where 
his  body  was  raised  into  an  upright  position  and 
carried  down  into  eternity  ! 

On  another  occasion,  a  poor  woman  was  washing 
clothes  in  the  mill-stream,  with  her 'little  child, 
playing  in  a  tub,  near  her.  Before  she  was  aware 
of  the  terrible  fact,  the  tub  with  the  child,  had 
floated  into  the  river,  and  thence,  ere  mortal  aid 
could  come,  into  the  rapids,  which  soon  bore  the 
poor  parent's  doomed  offspring  over  the  relentless 
cataract,  drowning  her  screams  with  its  ceaseless 
thunders  ! 


I 

1 


i 


I 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


95 


A'  I  iilnnU  At  tli«   Fiilla, 


CIIAULEa    ADUINOTON    ANJ)    NETTIE    DE  FOREST. 

Lunur  Island  never  snw  a  more  dclijxlitful  eve- 
ning  than  that  of  June  21st,  1849,  enlivened  as  it 
was,  by  young  and  happy  hearts,  full,  even  to  burst- 
ing, TV'ith  their  own  joyousness.  The  gay  party  in 
question  consisted  of  Mrs.  De  Forest,  of  Buffalo, 
Mrs.  Miller,  and  Mr.  Bowen,  who  getting  tired,  took 
advantage  of  some  seats  on  Iris  Island,  whilst  the 
young  people  to  the  number  of  nine,  repaired  to 
Lunar  Island  ;  where  having  enjoyed  themselves, 
and  being  about  to  return  to  Iris  Island,  Ceiarles 
Addington  playfully  caught  Nettie  De  Forest  and 
pretended  to  throw  lier  into  the  stream.  The 
buoyant  child  jumped  from  him,  and  in  an  instant 
was  in  the  wild  current!  Poor  Charles  Adding- 
ton,  without  a  pause,  sprung  after  her,  and  both 
were  carried  over  ihe  dreadful  precipice,  locked  in 
each  other's  arms,  witli  their  agonized  countenances 
turned  to  the  last  on  the  horritied  group  of  com- 
panions, who  saw,  but  could  not  save  them ! 

Miss  De  Forest's  mangled  remains  "vrerc  found 
the  next  day,  at  2  o'clock,  p.  m.,  in  the  Cave  of  the 
Winds,  and  in  a  few  days  after  the  body  of  the 
gallant  and  generous  young  Addington  was  like- 
wise recovered  and  interred  in  the  village. 

9 


06 


DE8CKIFTIVE    GUIDE 


i 


Acol'lunu  Mt  tha  Kitlli. 


I' 


1     i 


We  will  make  no  apology  for  introducing  here 
the  following  beautiful  lines,  written  on  this  sud 
event,  by  a  young  lady  of  Uiste  and  feeling. 


ON  THE  LATE  DISASTER  AT  THE  FALLS. 


A  milil  and  lovely  day  hud  paat, 

Too  briglit,  like  oartltly  hoped,  to  last, 

And  Luiiu  rose,  with  piucid  Hmile, 

To  greei  her  small  but  liivonie  iule  ; 

In  rivalry  of  Sol,  to  throw 

A  richer  veil  u(  light  below, 

And  chullcnije  iule,  and  shore,  and  stream. 

To  praise  her  milder,  lovelier  bourn. 

On  thai  fair  idle  were  gathor'd  then, 
Reluctant  still  to  leave  the  Rcene, 
A  pleasant  group.    Joy,  love,  and  grace 
Bcam'd  all  around,  iVuin  every  liice. 
Sweet  Antoinette,  that  favor'd  child, 
Gambol 'd  so  innocent  and  wild; 
Wreath'd  every  lip  wiili  sinilea,  to  see 
Her.ioyou.s  spirit  bounding  free. 
Had  angels  taught  it,  hovering  round 
With  heav'nly  grace,  to  spurn  the  ground ; 
That  soon  immortal  it  should  soar 
Where  earth  could  fetter  it  no  more  1 

A  manly  youth  and  maiden  fair. 
Parents  and  friends,  were  standing  there, 
And  all  with  Hash  ig  wit  and  song 
The  pleasing  hoir   would  fain  prolong. 
Enchantment  clothed  the  earth  and  sky 
Ah  1  who  could  dream  of  danger  nigh  1 

Angels  of  Hght  were  passing  near— 
They  '  walk  unseen  "  the  earth  and  air, 


Mi-H 


re 
lud 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


07 


ArriilvnU  nt  tha  Full*. 


Ami  knew  tlioRo  parciUH  booh  niuflt  part 

From  joys  fiiiwiiiml  urouiid  iho  lioart ; 

CcMitiiliiig  iovo  rec'^ivo  ilio  blow 

TImt  lay.ia  worfhipM  idol  low. 

Siir»  ly  a  pitying  aiigul'a  tear 

CnllI'd  lliiil  Ibrul  lather's  licarl  with  fear, 

'•  Come  lu;re,  my  cliild  !  como  huro  !"  he  cried, 

"  licwaro  tbc  riishiii'j;  river's  tide." 

"  Never  you  mind— let  licr  alone  ; 

I'll  watch,"  said  noble  Addinglon. 

She  puU'd  b;  J     .nt  m  f.layCul  glee— 

'•Aha!  yjii  vo.ue:  yt  u  're  caught,"  said  he," 

"  Now8h;illI  throw  yon  inl"  She  laughs; 

II  r  trembling  i  ,rm  he  touch'd  ; 

?l!.'    iruiig— rihe  (ails  ;  "Oniercy!  save!' 

"  She's  gone  I    O  God  !"  one  look  he  gave, 

One  word  of  horror,  tliat  f.hall  dwell 

For  ever  /re.sh  in  memor)  's  cell ; 

Tlicii  sprang  to  clasp  that  precious  trust. 

Giiraiitic  eHorts  fail.     "  Wo  must 

He  lost  1    Great  God  !  no  human  aid 

Avails  us  now !    Save  us,"  he  pray'd, 

*'  For  Jesus'  sake,  O  save  our  souls  I" 

The  da.?hing  torrent  onward  rolls, 

Unheeding  that  stiiill,  hitter  cry 

Of  living,  human  agony, 

Bursting  a fre.sh  when  straining  eye 

Fail'd  soon  the  loved  ones  to  decry        -        *■ 

Upon  the  raging  waters  tost, 

•'  Heart-rending  cry,  "  They  're  lost !  they  're  lost  I" 

For  ".Jesus'  sake,"— that  matchless  word — 
It  soared  to  heaven.    The  Father  heard : 
"  Fly,  Gnbriel,  with  thy  chosni  band, 
Takf)  crowns  of  gold,  and  hai  ps  in  hand  ; 
/^i  r.iy'd  .n  lObes  of  spotless  white, 
Conduct  them  to  these  realms  of  light." 


^|! 


■i' 
■I' 


98 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Accidents  at  the  Fulls. 


Uprising  from  the  rapid's  foam, 
Redeem'd  those  blessed  spirits  come  ; 
O  !  what  a  radiant  Bi;?ht  in  view  ; 
With  eager  haste  the  angels  flew, 
Striking  their  golden  harps  anew. 
"  Come,  sister  spirits,  come  away, 
Come  home  to  heaven,"  their  joyful  lay. 

O,  mourning  souls !  could  ye  but  hear 
Those  strains  salute  the  ravjsh'd  ear; 
Tears  for  the  living  would  be  shed  ; 
Smiles  arc  the  tribute  for  the  dead, 
Not  "wreathing  lips"  soon  to  depart 
Playnig  forever  round  the  heart. 
Grief,  pain  and  death  disturb  no  more, 
Not  "  lost  those  dear  one's  gone  before." 

Let,  still,  Niagara  lovely  seem, 

Its  island,  mist,  and  rapid  stream, 

Its  fleeting  bows  of  splendors  bright, 

Fall  plsasantly  upon  the  sight. 

Remember  that  two  cherish 'd  flowers, 

Transplanted  to  celestial  bowers, 

The  river  from  that  island  bore. 

To  bloom  unfading  evermore. 

Prayer,  grateful,  like  that  mist,  should  rise 

From  depths  of  sorrow  to  the  skies ; 

Then  shall  the  "  Sun  of  righteousness  " 

Shine  through  its  prism  of  grief,  and  bless 

With  bows  of  promise,  blight  and  warm. 

Fadeless  in  sunshine  and  in  storm. 

And  when  ye  hear  the  ceaseless  sound 

That  thundering  shakes  the  solid  ground, 

The  cataract  in  its  dark  career,    * 

O,  not  in  sorrow  close  the  ear  ! 

Let  Faith  behold  that  seraph  throng. 

Whose  ceaseless  and  eternal  song. 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


99 


Aceidi'iits  lit  the  Falls. 


!    ¥ 


I 


4, 


I  f 


Like  '•  sound  of  many  wjiteis  "  seem, 
And  love  and  bliss  are  all  the  theme, 
Praising  the  Wise  and  Good  Supreme. 
Pleasant  Valley,  1849.  Mary. 

Thus  perished  in  the  flower  of  their  youth,  two 
promising  hopes  of  heart-wrung  parents.  Poor 
Mrs.  De  Forest  did  not  Ion o-  survive  the  dreadful 
fate  of  her  "  Nettie,"  and  the  anguisliing  scene  of 
that  awful  evening  has  made  an  impression  on  the 
horrified  young  spectators  which  time  can  never 
erase. 

MISS     MARTHA     K.    RUGG. 

This  young  lady  had  visited  the  Falls,  when  on 
her  way  to  Detroit  to  visit  a  sister,  in  August, 
1844. 

On  the  memorable  morning  of  the  24th,  whilst 
approaching  Table  iiock,  she  stepped  upon  the 
bank,  about  fifty  rods  below  the  Museum,  letting 
go  the  arm  of  the  gentleman  v/ho  accompanied 
her,  in  order  to  pluck  some  evergreens — when  the 
earth,  giving  way  with  her  weight,  she  was  percipi- 
tated  down  a  perpendicular  height  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  feet,  falling  on  a  bed  of  sharp  rocks  ! 
The  poor  girl  gave  one  piercing  shriek  ;  her  com- 
panion grasped  her  shawl,  which  gave  way,  and 
she  descended  !     Doctor  G.  A.  Sturgj»,  of  l^ew 

*9 


:    . 


% 


i 


\i 


100 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Accidunta  lit  the  Fnlls. 


York,  happening  to  be  at  the  Falls,  and  just  then 
in  the  Museum,  near  at  hand,  hurried  down  the 
stairs  at  Table  Rock,  accompanied  by  several,  and 
after  much  labor  and  fatii>ue  reached  the  fatal 
spot,  where  they  found  Miss  Rugg  on  the  pointed 
rocks  still  alive.  On  being*  bled,  she  revived,  and 
said,  faintly,  to  those  around  her,  "  Pit  !v  me  up." 
This  was  done,  and  she  was  conveyed  in  a  boat  to 
the  ferry-landing,  and  from  thence  to  the  Ciifcon 
House,  where  she  expired  in  three  hours  from  the 
time  of  this  melancholy  accident. 

DEATH     OF     D.     HUNGER  FORD. 

Nor  are  the  chances  of  accident  confined  to  the 
descent.  There  is  danger  in  many  places  wher'* 
strangers  go — and,  although  those  accidents  hap- 
pen seldom,  yet,  when  they  do  occur,  there  is  a 
painful  memory  of  the  solitary  case,  for  years  after 
its  occurrence.  Such,  for  instance,  was  that  of  D. 
HuNGERFORD,  of  Troy,  in  this  State. 

About  10  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  2'7th  of 
May,  1839,  the  doctor  in  company  with  Mr.  Niles, 
of  Columbus,  (0.),  and  Mr.  Lindsey,  the  guide, 
were  viewing  the  river  and  the  Falls,  from  below 
Iris  Island  ;  and,  being  satisfied,  were  about  to  de- 
part, when  a  cloud  of  falling  dust,  told  too  plainly 


L 


v. 


t  then 
rn  the 
1,  and 
I  fatal 
)ointed 
id,  and 
le  up." 
boat  to 
Clifton 
om  the 


h 


I  to  the 
wher'* 
ts  hap- 
re  is  a 
irs  after 
It  of  D. 


2'7th  of 
:r.  Niles, 
3  guide, 
n  below 
ut  to  de- 
)  plainly 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


101 


Accidents  at  the  Falls, 


that  some  of  the  impending  mass  above  was  falling, 
Mr.  Niles  and  the  guide,  in  hurrying  from  the  spot, 
became  informed  of  the  melancholy  fact,  that  D. 
HuNGERFORD  had  been  severely  hurt  by  some  of 
the  fallen  mass.  They  carried  him  away,  but  he 
did  not  long  survive — having  been  struck  on  the 
head  and  neck. 

THE    WHITE    CANOES. 

AN     INDIAN     LEGEND. 

In  years  gone  by,  when  the  forest  wild  closed 
hi  the  sublime  temple  of  nature,  which  is  now  un- 
veiled to  the  inquisitive  white  man  in  the  sheeted 
cataract  of  Niagara — when,  none,  save  the  Indian 
worshipers,  ventured  to  gaze  upon  the  place  whore 
their  simple,  yet  beautifully  imaginative  faith  taught 
them  to  feel  the  presence  of  the  Great  Being, 
whose  solemn  voice  made  the  forest  ring,  and  the 
o'round  tremble, — it  was  customary  to  offer  a  liv- 
ing  sacritice,  once  a  year,  to  be  conveyed  by  the 
foaming  messengers  of  the  water-spirit,  to  the  un- 
known gulf,  which,  through  the  light  of  imagina- 
tion alone  they  knew  aught  about. 

In  the  brio-ht  autumnal  month  of  Auo-ust,  when 
all  earth's  flowers  were  at  their  richest,  and  the 


102 


DESCRIPTIVE    GUIDE 


Aci'ideiUs' nt  the  Falls. 


i1< 


I  H 


fruits  had  attained  their  mellowest  tint  aiivi  Cftste, 
ere  Time  could  bring  his  sickle  round  them,  the 
watchful  sachem  gave  the  word,  and  the  full  ft  aits 
and  flowers  were  stowed  in  a  white  canoe,  to  he 
paddled  by  the  fairest  maiden  that  had  just  th::!n 
arrived  at  woman-hood. 

Honored  was  that  tribe,  whose  turn  it  was  to  float 
their  bloomino-  offerino-  to  the  shrine  of  the  Grea.t 
Spirit  ;  and  still  more  honored  was  the  maid  who 
was  a  tittinii*  sacrilice. 

Lena  was  the  only  child  and  darling  of  Ouonta, 
the  proudest  Chief  of  the  Senecas.  Full  many  a 
bloody  fight  liad  seen  his  single  feather  pass  in 
triumph,  like  the  pestilential  blast,  scathing  where 
he  came,  and  leaving,  when  he  left  the  red  track 
of  his  hatchet  and  tomahawk. 

Spring  followed  Spring,  Summer  breathed  on 
Summer,  and  Autumn  ripened  into  Autumn,  as 
Time  crowned  each  year  with  plories  which  he  but 
prepared  for  withering  Winter's  cold  embrace. 
And  every  annual  round  had  sent  an  offerino;  to 
the  thunder- Q'od  of  the  secluded  Niao-ara. 

Oronta  danced  in  pride  and  triumph  at  many  a 
holy  feast,  which  followed  the  sacritical  gift,  which 
his  rejoicing  tribe  had  in  their  turn  given.  But 
Oronta  felt  not  for  the  fathers,  whose  precious 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


103 


Aocidt^rits  at  the  Falls. 


/ 


jewels  were  thus  taken  from  their  wigwam,  and 
committed  to  the  grave  of  roaring  waters.  Oron- 
TA  thought  not  that  they  had  earthly  feelings, 
which  the  ardor  of  religion  could  not  always  quite 
subdue.  Oronta  had  lost  his  fair  wife,  Calma; 
but  it  was  by  a  foeman's  arrow,  and  terribly  had 
he  avenged  his  bereavement. 

Since  that  event,  his  motherless  child  had  felt 
the  glow  of  fifteen  summers — till,  like  a  rose  she 
opened  all  her  beauties  to  the  maturing  breath  of 
Nature. 

The  day  of  sacrifice  came.  It  belongs  to  the 
Senecas,  and  Lena  is  the  only  offering  fitting  the 
occasion. 

Can  the  proud  Oronta  show  his  weakness  ? 
Can  he  let  the  father's  bursting  bosom  be  seen  to 
tremble  ?  Can  he  give  ear  to  Nature,  lest  she 
blend  his  love  and  pity  in  a  tear,  that  may  fal] 
down  a  blot  upon  his  name  ? 

The  moon-lit  hour  is  come  ;  the  rejoicing  dance 
goes  on  ;  Oronta  has  parted  his  Lena,  to  meet 
where  the  Great  Spirit  reigns.  His  wigwam  on 
the  high  bank  is  lonely  now. 


* 


* 


* 


* 


* 


The  yell  of   fanatic  triumph  goes  up  from  a 
thousand  Senecas.     The  white  canoe  has  shot  from 


lif  i 


\        Ttl,^  «cliems,  iis  they  gaze  upon 

yonder  bank,  and  the  sachc  ^^^^^^ 

i  shout  to  heaven  tl-»    ^Zsyet  approaehed  its 
But,  ere  the  d^^""^  ""J™  ^vhHe  eanoe  has 

and  flowers.  >"th  Lkn^J^  ^„,i  ,,,,53  fol- 

as  ..  oflenng  »   *'- ^^J^.^^.,  „,  ^  grown  glories 

lo..ed  by  «'f  ";;te  a  W.lins  offering  for  a  ro- 
of battle  and  of  chast,  a  o 
union  ^vilh  his^vife  and  ehiia  ^^^^    ^^^^^^ 

^^'^rn:nX".^^-f'hedescent-per- 

by  a  rock,  ]ust  on  tlie  ''"  y^^^^  both  to- 

jHtingOronta'stoco.      e-^ 

gether  nse  upon  th    ^^^J'    „f  ^,ppi„ess, 

""^r1d-tdtlif«e.trini^ 

is  exchanged— ana  ^  ^^^^  ^^^la 

>'^^^'^^'^^rIr:t'i■.Si-*l-^^''"^ 

ai-op  down  the  cataiact  xo^ 
Canoes! 


i^l 


TO    NIAGARA    FALLS. 


105 


upon 

led  its 

)e  has 

Ibound 

fruits 

le  goes 

e  is  fol- 

lories 

lor  a  re- 


pauses 
it — per- 
»oth  to- 
i  look — 
ppiness, 
v'ith  the 
le  child 

White 


Concliisinn— Stay  ntul  Htrny. 


CONCLUSION. 

0  W,  reader,  we  have  visited  the  prin- 
'^ipal  points  of  attraction  in  this  vicinity 
of  wonders  ;  it  is  for  you  to  decide, 
whether  you  will  remain,  study,  and 
contemplate  what  we  have  gone  over. 

It  is  not  by  a  hasty  visit,  you  can  become  nc- 
quainted  with  the  unequalled  scenes  of  the  world- 
renowned  Niagara.  No,  you  must  stay  and  stray; 
you  must  look  out  for  new  lights  of  beauty  in  which 
to  view  them,  and  you  will  be  sure  to  find  such, 
however  often  you  seek  ! 

The  time  is  a  grand  point  in  viewing  these  scenes 
to  perfection.  It  is  not  in  the  glare  of  the  noon- 
day, when  all  around  is  rich  and  gay  with  the  re- 
flection of  the  radiant  sunbeam  :  It  is  not  in  the 
company  of  laughter-loving,  thoughtless  youth  ;  It 
is,  rather,  by  yourself  alone,  at  sunrise,  when  the 
mists  are  rising  in  their  majesty,  like  incense  up  to 
heaven ;  encircled  by  the  peerless  rainbow,  which 


'j;1 


m  r 


106. 


DB80RIPTIVI2    GUIDE 


Look  oat  ood  contoniplMte. 


the  rising  orb  of  day  has  sent  to  herald  bis  coining, 
in  hues  of  brightest  hope. 

Or,  view  these  varied  scenes  under  the  heaven- 
bom  influence  of  a  moon-lit  night  ;  and,  oh,  what 
mind  would  not  soften  its  thoughts  to  tears,  in  that 
holy  contemplation  of  Nature  and  of  God  ! 


\ 


,,'^, 


y 


'^•'!. 


'■'  \-i 


»♦■ 


"t- .. 


w 


,r(  (.■ 


:^| 


•rf 


ti-'t 


;  '*  '*, 


■s»> 


,.>^-,.,^^^^ 


^::M«^^ 


-i*' 


% 


